Court remands two for allegedly killing their friend

An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded two men in prison on their alleged involvement in the death of their common friend.

Nicodemus Jeremiah, 23, and Abideen Muniru, 28, are being detained at the Ikoyi Prisons for their alleged roles in the killing of Dike Onyeami.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.O Tanimola, ordered that the accused be in prison custody, pending legal advice from the office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The accused are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful killing.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the offences were committed on Aug.14 at about 10:50 p.m. at Amosu Igboro Area of Ijanikin, Lagos.

Samuel said that the accused and the deceased were friends.

He said that the accused, who were members of the Eiye fraternity– a secret cult– had wanted to initiate the deceased but he refused.

According to him, on the fateful day, the accused abducted the deceased for forceful initiation into the fraternity.

“The accused unlawfully killed the deceased by firing on his head with a locally made pistol,” the prosecutor said.

Samuel said that the offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 221 provides that subject to the provisions of any other law, a person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plea of the accused was not taken.

The case was adjourned till Oct.14 for mention. (NAN)