Court Remands Man, 42, Over Alleged Murder

A forty-two-year-old man, Adekunle Timothy Adeniyi has been remanded in prison custody by a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court for alleged murder and other criminal charges.

The accused person, Adekunle Timothy Adeniyi, 42, is standing trial on a two count charge of murder and procurement of abortion before Chief Magistrate E.C. Woke, on charge number PMC/1516C/2013.

The police prosecution told  the court that the accused person on the 4

th of April, 2013 at No.14 Okporo Street, Rukpukwu, Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt Magisterial District did unlawfully murder one Tessy James (F) by procuring abortion on her.

The prosecution also said that the accused person on the same date and place and the aforesaid magisterial district did negligently endangered life of one Tessy James (F) by administering drugs/medicine which caused her death, adding that the accused committed an offence punishable under section 319(1) and 343 (F) of the criminal code cap 37 Vol. 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, E.C. Woke said the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter and ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody.

The presiding chief magistrate also directed that the case file be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. He, however, told the accused person that he was at liberty to apply for his bail at the high court.

The case was adjourned to the 26

th, September, 2013 pending the DPP’s advice.