4th August, 2011
The police on Wednesday arraigned Emeka Umeh at the Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly punching a man to death.
Umeh, 41, is standing trial on a one-count charge of unlawfully killing a fellow man before Magistrate A. O. Olatunji.
The court, however, did not take the plea of the accused.
The magistrate said that Umeh’s plea would not be taken because the court did not have jurisdiction to hear such a case.
Olatunji said: “This court cannot try a murder suspect or hear a murder case. I, therefore order that the accused be remanded, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.â€
The magistrate adjourned the case to October 15 for further hearing.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Isacc Aminu told the court that Umeh allegedly punched one Edward Nwagioha on the face during an argument.
Aminu said that Nwagioha died immediately from the punch he received from Umeh.
He said that the alleged offence was committed on June 25, along Coker Village Road, Orile Igamu, Lagos.
Aminu added that the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Law of Lagos State.