Commercial Motorcyclist Strangles Wife’s Friend In Ondo

A 35-year-old commercial motorcyclist, identified as James Sunday has been arraigned by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly strangling a 42-year-old woman.

The defendant was arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, the state capital.

He was alleged to have used a rope to strangle the deceased, Justinah Sunday, who was said to be his wife’s friend.

Sunday was arraigned on a one-count charge of murder.

The police prosecutor, Mr Taiwo Oniyere, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 13, 2024, at 47, Ijoka Street, Ondo, within the Ondo State magisterial district.

Oniyere said the defendant unlawfully killed one Justinah Sunday aged 42, by strangling her neck with a rope, which led to her death.

The offence, he said, contravened sections 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He told the court that he had known the deceased for nine to 10 years in Ile-Oluji town and met his wife through her.

But his plea was not taken by the court.

Oniyere urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The defence counsel, A. F. Falana, asked the court for a date to enable him to file a reply to the remand application.

However, the Chief Magistrate, T. O. Olusola-Olujobi, ordered the remand of the defendant in police custody and adjourned the case to April 18, 2024.