A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Friday, remanded one Elom Maduka, 38, in a correctional facility for allegedly killing his stepmother, Mrs Augustina Odio.
The suspect complained that the victim was appearing in his dreams and telling him that she was responsible for his lack of progress.
The suspect trailed her to her farm and dealt several machete blows to her head and legs.
It was gathered that the suspect committed the offence at Amohu village, Ezillo community, in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
The accused was arraigned on one count of murder.
The police prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, told the court that the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The charge read, “That you, Elom Odio Maduka, on June 12, 2020, at the Amohu Ezillo community in the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did cause the death of one Augustina Odio, 50, by inflicting machete cuts on her head and legs, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
The accused was not represented in court by a counsel, thus no bail application was made on his behalf.
Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha directed that he should be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while his case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for necessary legal action.
The case was adjourned till July 15, 2020, for a report of compliance.