Danish national remanded over death of Nigerian wife, child
A Danish citizen, Peter Nielsen, has been remanded by a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged culpability in the death of his wife, Zainab ‘Alizee’ and three-year-old daughter, Petral.
The police in Lagos arraigned Nielsen on a two-count charge of torture and murder. The victims were found dead in their residence at Ballavista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi Lagos on April 5, 2018.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, will remain in Ikoyi prison till May 8 on the order of the Magistrate K.B Ayeye pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Police prosecutor CSP Efiong Asuqo told the court that the facility manager of Nielsen’s residence alleged that he was informed by one Gift Madaki, 13, a younger sister of the deceased that she heard her elder sister crying in the early hours of the day she died.
“The little girl estimated the time she heard her sister’s cry to be 3.45am. Based on the report, the command mobilised its crime scene detectives to the location as well as medics from Britannia Hospital, Lekki Phase One Lagos. They went to Flat 17, Block 4 apartment of the Nielsons.
“Two bodies, identified as that of Zainab Nielson and her 3-year-old baby, Petral Nielson, were found in the kitchen. The doctor and his team inspected the bodies and confirmed them dead.
“Preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the violence that consumed the deceased persons started in the couple’s bedroom but the bodies were dragged to the kitchen.
“On closer examination, visible marks of violence were seen on the bodies. The corpses were photographed and evacuated to Lagos Island General Hospital for autopsy,” Asuqo said.
Reports said the Kogi Stateborn Zainab, an upcoming musician, had signed a two-year record deal with an Asian record label, Petra Entertainment in 2017, which reportedly earned her a brand new Ford Explorer, a house on Banana Island and international distribution with affiliates of her record company in Asia.