A 40-year old man, Elvis Mbekwe, has been arrested by detectives of the Ondo State Police Command.
The man was arrested for allegedly beating his 28-year old girlfriend to d3ath after their Valentine’s Day celebration went sour.
Mbekwe was accused of beating his lover, Uchenna Akujobi, who lived in his house, with a fist blow and a horsewhip, which eventually led to her d3ath.
The incident allegedly sprung from Mbekwe’s suspicion that his lover was involved in a romantic relationship with a man, who visited her on Valentine’s Day.
Following his arrest, the suspect was arraigned February 26, 2025 before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, on a count of murder.
The prosecutor, Folashade Adeyemi, informed the court that the accused and others at large committed the offence on February 14, 2025, at Gold Line Estate, Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Adeyemi alleged that on the fateful day, the accused unlawfully caused the death of his girlfriend, Uchenna, by beating her to d3ath.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant demanded an explanation from the deceased about her relationship with a man who frequently visited her in his apartment, even on Valentine’s Day.
She told the court that Mbekwe, who suspected that his lover was having an affair with the man, got infuriated and it led to a verbal war between the duo.
“During the scuffle, the defendant allegedly beat the deceased with a fist blow and a horsewhip which led to her d3ath,” she said.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State 2006.
The plea of the defendant was not taken.
Mbekwe, in his statement at the police station claimed that it was the deceased who attacked him with a broken glass.
Adeyemi prayed the court to remand the defendant to any correctional centre in the state, pending the outcome of advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, in the State Ministry of Justice.
Magistrate R.I. Adelakin, while granting the prosecutor’s request, remanded the defendant to the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the DPP.
The magistrate held: “Going through the defendant’s statement and the prosecution claim, I am satisfied that probable cause has been proved by the prosecution for the remand of the defendant as there is a reasonable doubt to suspect that the accused is involved in the commission of the alleged offence.
“Consequently, he should be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre while the case file shall be transmitted to the office of the DPP for advice.”
Adelakin adjourned the case till March 27, 2025, for mention.
