Ondo court remands man for allegedly raping and killing 55-year-old colleague

The Chief Magistrates Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered that a 35-year-old labourer, James Emmanuel, be remanded for allegedly raping his 55-year-old colleague, Mrs. Deborah Abiodun, to death.

The defendant, who is a co-worker of the deceased allegedly committed the offence at a poultry farm located at Oke-Odu area along Ijare road, Akure. James, after allegedly raping Mrs. Abiodun to death, reportedly hit her with stone on her head and dump her corpse inside a waste pit. The suspect was arraigned on a two count charge bordering on murder and rape before Magistrate F.A. Aduroja.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Anwana Josephine told the court that the suspect committed the offence on 17th January, 2024 at about 11.00pm. He told the court that the offences were contrary to section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

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The charge sheet reads that you James Emmanuel m on the 17th day of January, 2024 at about 11.00pm at Ilere, on Ijare Road, Akure in the Akure Magisterial District, did rape Deborah Abiodun f aged 55 years old and thereby committed an offence, contrary to section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the criminal code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

That you James Emmanuel on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did kill one Deborah Abiodun by hitting her with stone on her head and dumped her corpse inside a waste pit and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 (1) of the criminal code, cap. 37, Vol. 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The trial Magistrate, Mrs Aduroja in her ruling ordered that the defendant be remanded in the correctional centre in Ondo and adjourned the trial till March 27, 2024.