KINGSLEY EBERE
The trial of Mr. Benjamin Ogudoro, who allegedly burnt his wife, Chinyere Ogudoro and his brother in-law, Ifeanyi Njokure, to death has been further adjourned till 7th February, 2024, for continuation of trial at the Lagos State High Court.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the alleged murder of Chinyere Ogudoro and her brother, Ifeanyi Njokure, has lingered for the past two years and the pertinent question in the minds of the people including the victims family is: How long will it take for justice to be served?
The horrible deaths were said to have caused serious trauma to Late Chinyere’s children and Late lfeanyi’s wife and children as the deceased had also lost their mother in the course of seeking justice.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Lagos Branch and Lagos State Government have assisted on pursuance of justice and hoping that justice will be served on time to bring succour to the family, friends and for the soul of the deceased to rest in perfect peace.
During the trial, the prosecution witness, Mrs. Uche Uwalaka, told a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, that the defendant, Benjamin Ogudoro, has caused the family a lot of pain.
Mrs. Uwalaka, a sister to Chinyere Ogundoro and Ifeanyi, who were burnt to death by her husband, Benjamin, said her mother is late and currently in the mortuary as a result of pain and shock arising from the incidence of the loss of her two children on the same day.
The witness, who was led in evidence in chief by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, stated that the action of the defendant has led her only brother’s wife to become a widow and her late sister’s four children stranded.
“I am pleading for justice because of the pain of losing my siblings to the action of the defendant,” she said.
The defendant, Benjamin, 50, who is standing trial for the alleged murder before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, was arraigned on 7th January, 2024, on a four-count charge of murder preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
He was alleged to have killed his wife, Chinyere, who had just returned from Scotland, and her brother, Ifeanyi, by setting them ablaze.
The prosecution said the incident happened on April 1, 2022, at about 3.30am, at House 5, Zone 7, Oteyi Garden Estate, Abule Ado, in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.
The state alleged that the defendant poured petrol on the bodies of his wife and his brother-in-law, Ifeanyi, with the mattress and set them ablaze while asleep, which led to their death.
According to the prosecution, the offences committed contravened Sections 223 and 341, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and the trial commenced immediately.
Mrs. Uwalaka explained that her late brother told her what transpired before he died while she was with him at the hospital.
The second prosecution witness, Stanley Ulasi, a former tenant of the defendant, also narrated to the Court how the two siblings were burnt to death and the matter was further adjourned.