KINGSLEY EBERE
A 28-year old man, Sunday Joseph, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly killing his 33-year old neighbour, Richard Ogbu Ikpeaba, over money during a public fight.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ago Palace, Okota area of Lagos, where they reside.
The suspect has been charged before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged murder.
He was said to have hit the deceased with a plank and he slumped. He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital but before he could be treated, he was already dead and Doctors certified him dead while the corpse was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy reports.
According to the Police, on 3rd February, 2024, the defendant had a disagreement with the deceased over an undisclosed amount of money, which led to exchange of words and later to physical fighting between the duo.
During the squabble, the defendant carried a plank and hit the deceased on his head, which led to his death. The matter was reported to the Police at Ago Okota Division and the defendant was arrested and transferred to the SCID at Yaba for further investigation.
After the investigation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
However, the Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. W.A. Salami, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional centre pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.