Judge’s absence stalls trial of lawyer charged with husband’s murder

The trial of a lawyer, Udeme OtikeOdibi, who allegedly murdered her husband, Symphorosa OtikeOdibi, was yesterday stalled due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye.

Udeme, 48, was arraigned before an Igbosere High Court, Lagos, on June 13, 2018 by the Lagos State government for a two-count charge of murder and misconduct.

She had pleaded not guilty to the offences and was remanded at the Kirikiri Prison.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, prosecuting, had during arraignment told the court that Udeme committed the alleged offences on May 3, at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos.

The prosecution said that Udeme stabbed her husband and mutilated his corpse by cutting his genitals.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the case could not go on as the court was informed that the court was not sitting due to the absence of the judge.

At the last adjourned date on October 10, the defendant’s close friend, Mrs Mureen Offor, had told the court how the lawyer allegedly murdered her husband, Symphorosa, in the early hours of May 3, at 12:04 a.m.

She told the court that she got a message about 12am on that day from Udeme that she had done something terrible.

Offor informed the court that she was praying at the time the message dropped on her phone, adding that she abandoned the prayer and sent a message that, “I thought we have packed your things for the trip and have talked about the issues. Our agreement was that you should first travel and take care of your health, and come back later to address the relationship with your husband and see if the marriage will work out.”

The witness said that the defendant sent her a second message that read, “I have tried,” saying she then left her prayer and started calling her friend, who she said didn’t respond.

The witness, who was being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, said that at 4a.m, she got a call from the defendant’s mother that Udeme and Symphorosa had been in a fight.

According to her, “Much later, Udeme’s mum called and she was hysterical that Symphorosa was dead.”

The case has been adjourned till November 20, 2018 for continuation of trial.