Man remanded for killing his wife over sachet water

A Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has remanded a 49-year-old man,  Lawrence Itakpe, for allegedly killing his wife, Rebecca, at their house in the Ajah area of the state.

Itakpe was arraigned on one count of murder over the incident which occurred on December 5, 2022.

The couple who were married for 11 years with two kids, had an argument over sachet water which led to the killing.

Itakpe reportedly rushed to the kitchen and returned with a kitchen knife, with which he allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times in the chest and neck.

It was gathered that a security guard knocked on the couple’s door while the argument was on, but the defendant allegedly refused to open the door.

The charge sheet against the suspect read; 

“That you, Lawrence Itakpe, on December 5, 2022, around 5pm at 50, Abimbola Street, Seaside Estate, Badore Ajah, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully slaughter one Rebecca Itakpe, aged 47, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

Upon being arraigned, police prosecutor, Inspector Haruna Magaji asked the court to remand the defendant in custody for 30 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, O.Y. Adefope, granted the request before adjourning the case till January 31, 2023.