30-year-old man allegedly kills mother over refusal to ‘bathe him’

A 30-year-old man, Ofobuike Damian, appeared before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly stabbing his elderly mother to death following her refusal to bathe him. Damian, whose address was not provided to the court, faces a one-count charge of murder. He pleaded guilty to the charge. The Police Prosecutor, Mr. David Njoku, a […]

A 30-year-old man, Ofobuike Damian, appeared before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly stabbing his elderly mother to death following her refusal to bathe him.

Damian, whose address was not provided to the court, faces a one-count charge of murder. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr. David Njoku, a Senior State Counsel, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 19 at Ohatekwe, Ukawu, in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Njoku stated that the defendant caused the death of his mother, Mrs. Onyema Damian, by stabbing her in the back with a knife.

 He noted that the offence is punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.

The defendant, who had no legal representation, told the court: “I don’t know what really happened, but I remember that I killed her over her refusal to bathe me.”

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Chinedu Agama, ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional center, noting that the Magistrates’ Court lacks the jurisdiction to try murder cases.

Magistrate Agama directed that the case file and all exhibits be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. 

The matter was adjourned until April 9 for mention. (NAN)