On Wednesday, the Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital ordered that Sheba Samuel, who gruesomely beheaded his three-year-old niece, Dieko Adunbarin, be remanded in the custody of Olokuta Prison.
On Wednesday, the Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital ordered that Sheba Samuel, who gruesomely beheaded his three-year-old niece, Dieko Adunbarin, be remanded in the custody of Olokuta Prison.
Mr. Sheba, 44, was arrested by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Ondo State Command in Ikare Akoko Local Government Area (LGA) of the State for the murder of the toddler.
Mr. Sheba allegedly killed the toddler as part of a cult ritual.
SaharaReporters learned that the suspect was an instructor at a local nursery school in the community before carrying out the dastardly act.
At the court, the Police Prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso, gave a graphic narration from the accused confessional statement detailing the beheading of the young Adunbarin with a kitchen knife.
Mr. Olowofeso noted that the offence was committed at exactly 9: 30 am at No. L/97 Araromi Street, Ikare Akoko in Akoko North East LGA of Ondo State.
"He [Mr. Samuel] confessed to us how he killed the little girl with the intent of using her body for a money ritual,” Mr. Olowofeso told the court.
He said the horrific actions of Mr. Samuel, contravene section 316 and punishable under sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006 noting that the accused would be facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.
SaharaReporters observed that the accused plea was not taken by the court and that he lacked representation for the case.
Chief Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel, ordered the case file of the accused be duplicated at the office of the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) under the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
Mrs. Bob-Manuel stated that while the court awaited the pending determination of the advice from the office of the DPP, the accused will be remanded at the Olokuta Prison custody in Akure.
Mrs. Bob-Manuel adjourned the case until April 14, 2016, for further hearing on the matter.