2 Brothers Remanded Over R*pe, Kil*ing Of Maersk’s MD’s Wife

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Two cousins Olamilekan (Goke) Oke 33 and Akande Adeyinka, 27, have been remanded on Wednesday for their alleged roles in the rape and killing of one Bernadette Tohouo-Tohouo 44, the Hungarian wife of a Cameroonian, Gildas Tohouo-Tohouo, the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the duo were remanded following their not guilty plea before Justice Modupe Nico- Clay of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere.

The defendants are facing eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, unlawful assault, robbery, armed robbery and rape, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

Prosecuting counsel and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, who led the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs. Adeyinka Adeyemi, told the Court that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences on December 8, 2019.

Onigbanjo said that the incident took place at about 7:30pm, at Flat 7A, No. 1, Lugard Avenue Ikoyi Lagos, adding that “Olamilekan (Goke) Oke, on December 8, 2019, at about 7: 30pm, unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one Bernadetta Tohouo- Tohouo aged 44”.

The prosecutor further informed the Court that the defendants unlawfully killed one Bernadetta Tohouo- Tohouo by suffocating her to death with a small pillow.

He also said that the duo attempted to unlawfully kill one Gildas Tohouo-Tohouo, by stabbing him severally on the neck, head and back with a knife and dagger.Onigbanjo said that the defendants unlawfully assaulted Gildas Tohouo-Tohouo and caused him harm, by beating him severally with hammer on his head.

The Commissioner of Justice explained to the Court that the defendants whilst armed with a knife and dagger robbed one Gildas Tohouo –Tohouo and Bernadette Tohouo- Tohouo, of several properties including foreign currencies in different denominations.

Two iPhones, two bottles of wine, two wedding rings and one engagement ring were also said to have been carted away. 
Onigbanjo also alleged that Olamilekan (Goke) Oke raped, the victim, before she was killed.

According to him, the offences committed are contrary to and punishable under Sections 233, 230, 173, 299, 297 (2) (a) 411, of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.

But the defendants, who are technician and printer respectively, denied the charges against them.

The first defendant was represented by a counsel, A.O. Odusanya, from the Office of the Public Defender OPD, while Mrs L.Y. Salau and I. T. Akingbade, from Legal Aid Council LAC, appeared for the second defendant.

Onigbanjo further urged the Court for a date to commence trial.
Justice Nico- Clay, adjourned the case till 30th June 2020, for trial.