A 37-year-old herbalist, Bamidele Mayowa, has been remanded by a High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State over the alleged murder and dismembered corpse of one Mercy Ekienabor.
The herbalist, alongside his accomplices, Oluwakemi Azeez, 21, Oyedegun Adewale, 28, and Jejelaye Olusola, 23 were remanded to a correctional centre in the state on Wednesday over the death of their 35-year-old victim.
The defendants were charged on three counts bordering on murder, misconduct with regard to corpse and accessory after the facts of the murder, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.
During the arraignment of the defendants, the state prosecuting counsel, Titilayo Olanrewaju-Daud, told the court that they committed the offence on December 16, 2021.
According to the prosecution counsel, the suspects perpetrated the act around 12pm at No 17, Ijedodo Road, in the Ijegun area of the state.
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Furthermore, Olanrewaja-Daud told the court that Mayowa allegedly killed Ekienabore by giving her a noxious substance and dismembering her corpse.
Describing the role of the other defendants in the crime, the prosecutor also said around 3pm on the same day and at the same address, the first defendant dismembered the deceased’s corpse.
According to Olanrewaju-Daud, the second to fourth defendants on December 18, 2021, allegedly buried the butchered remains of the late Ekienabor in a hole at the premises where she was killed,
The prosecution counsel told the court that the offences committed by the defendants contravened Sections 222, 165, and 231 and were punishable under Sections 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them and were remanded in prison custody.
Mr I.O. Bashua announced his appearance for the first defendant, while Mr F.I. Dennis appeared for the second to fourth defendants.
Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay adjourned the case till June 27 and 28, 2023, for the commencement of trial.