Man docked for killing wife in Ebonyi

A 54-year-old man, Eseni Chima, was arraigned on Tuesday before an Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing his wife, Ugochukwu Chima.  

Chima is facing a single charge of murder. However, Magistrate Chinedu Agama did not take the defendant’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction.

The magistrate instructed the police to forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Agama adjourned the case until December 31 for further hearing

The prosecutor, Emmanuel Monday, had informed the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on September 4, at 60 Ogbaga Road, Kpirikpiri in Abakaliki Local Government in Ebonyi.

Monday alleged that Chima caused the death of the deceased by beating her with iron rods until she died.

Monday said the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the criminal code law, cap 33, Vol 1, laws of Ebonyi, 2009.

Defence counsel, Daniel Onuoha, appealed for bail of his client but it was rejected because the court lacked jurisdiction over the case.