An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Thursday remanded in Ikoyi Prison a 34-year-old bricklayer, Abiodun Otaoroju, charged with the murder of his 41-day-old son.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge of murder and administering obnoxious substance.
His plea was, however, not taken as the court had no jurisdiction to try a case of such high calibre.
“I hereby remand the defendant at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending the outcome of the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” Magistrate Helen Omisore said.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Idowu Onime, had told the court that the defendant, on Aug. 30, unlawfully killed his son, Kazeem.
He alleged: “The defendant used an obnoxious substance known as “Bint El Sudan Perfume” to kill the deceased.
“The defendant, who lives at No. 16, Aiyegbami St., Ibeju Lekki in Lagos, was arrested by the police after the mother of the baby cried out to the neighbourhood for help”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged incident, which took place in Epe, in Lagos State, contravened Sections 221 and 241 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Magistrate Omisore adjourned the case to Oct. 31, for the DPP’s advice. (NAN)