Court remands trader for allegedly killing live-in lover

A 34-year-old petty trader, Ese Itachomi, has been remanded in custody for allegedly killing her lover, Tunde Bello, 48.

The police said investigations showed that Itachomi hit Bello with an object on the head and right eye while they were together at their residence on Gidado Street, Morogbo, Lagos State.

It was learnt that the duo met after brief interaction, and exchange of contacts on the road.

Bello reportedly asked her to start living with him when she had accommodation problem.

It was, however, learnt that Bello had a cough problem which he was treating with local herbs.

On the night of the incident, around 2am, the cough was said to have intensified with the accused calling on the landlord.

Both were said to have rushed him to the hospital where he gave up.

The defendant was arraigned on one count charge of murder.

The charge reads, “That you, Ese Itachoni, on May 13, 2014 at about 3am at Gidado Street, Morogbo, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Tunde Bello, aged 48 years, by hitting him with an object on his head and right eye.”

The police prosecutor, Richard Odige, said the offence was punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant’s plea was not taken.

Odige then applied for her remand in prison pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

He said, “The remand application is pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. The remand will help the police conclude all investigations as well as obtain legal advice from the DPP.”

Itachoni did not have any legal representation in court.

The Chief Magistrate, E.B. Daodu said, “Having listened to the remand application of the prosecutor, as well as seen the remand form, it is expedient to grant the request. It is ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody.”

The matter was adjourned till July 30, 2014.