A Lagos-based man, Benjamin Ogundoro, has been accused of burning his wife, Chinyere Ogundoro and brother-in-law, Ifeanyi Edeziem, to death.
Mrs Uche Uwalaka, a prosecution witnesses, who is also a sibling to the deceased, told Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Monday that she also lost her mother due to the shock arising from losing two children on the same day.
Uwalaka lamented that Benjamin has caused her family a lot of pain and sought justice for the deceased.
According to the witness, who was led in evidence in chief by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, Benjamin’s action has led her only brother’s wife to become a widow and her late sister’s four children stranded.
“I am pleading for justice because of the pain of losing my siblings to the action of the defendant,” she said.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 1, 2022, at about 3.30am, at House 5, Zone 7, Oteyi Garden Estate Abule Ado, in the Amuwo Odofin area of the state.
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It was gathered that Benjamin carried out the act after his wife’s return to the country from Scotland.
The 50-year-old defendant was arraigned on December 7, 2022, on a four-count charge of murder preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
The state alleged that the defendant poured petrol on the bodies of his wife and his brother-in-law, Ifeanyi, and the mattress and set them ablaze while asleep, which led to their death.
According to the prosecution, the offences committed contravened Sections 223 and 341, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and the trial commenced immediately.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the deceased’s sister concluded her testimony and was cross-examined.
She explained that her late brother told her what transpired before he died while she was with him at the hospital.
The case was adjourned by Justice Sherifat Sonaike till February 16, for the continuation of trial.