The Chief Magistrates Court in Akure, Ondo State, has directed the remand of a 35-year-old laborer, James Emmanuel. He is accused of raping and killing his 55-year-old colleague, Mrs. Deborah Abiodun.
The defendant, who worked alongside the deceased at a poultry farm in Oke-Odu along Ijare road, Akure, allegedly committed the crime. After the purported rape that resulted in Mrs. Abiodun’s death, James reportedly struck her with a stone on her head and disposed of her body in a waste pit.
Charged with murder and rape, the suspect was brought before Magistrate F.A. Aduroja. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Anwana Josephine, informed the court that the offense occurred on January 17, 2024, around 11:00 pm.
According to the prosecutor, the charges are in violation of section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The charge sheet reads, “That you, James Emmanuel ‘m’ on the 17th day of January, 2024, at about 11:00 pm 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 a 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.”
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. Aduroja ordered the defendant’s remand in the Ondo correctional centre and scheduled the trial for March 27, 2024.
