Court acquits couple, neighbour of manslaughter

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday acquitted a couple; John Idoko and Mary Adakole and their neighbour, Obinna Eze of the manslaughter of a 32-year-old man, Godspower Smart.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi discharged and acquitted the defendants who are all residents of Ikota Housing Estate, because there was no direct evidence linking the trio to the commission of the crime.

The Judge noted that the medical evidence provided by the prosecution was not strong enough to link the defendants to the alleged crime.

The judge also noted that a witness, Dr Sunday Shoyemi, did not give an indepth analysis of his conclusion that Smart passed away from asphyxia.

“None of the defendants confessed to killing the deceased so the evidence before the court is circumstantial.

“PW2 and PW3 who are the police officers from the State CID Panti did not give direct evidence as they are not direct witnesses to the offence.

“No evidence was shown by the prosecution that it was the defendants that committed the offence and there was no direct link proving that the defendants killed the deceased.

“The prosecution has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants killed the deceased.

“The defendants: John Idoko, Mary Adakole and Obinna Eze are hereby not guilty of a one-count charge of manslaughter,” Justice Adebiyi said.

During the trial, the prosecution team led by Mr Akin George, said that the couple were both 27 and Eze, 22 when the offence was allegedly committed at 11.55pm on Feb. 21, 2014 at Ikota Housing Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

“Idoko and Adakole who share a young child, were going for a vigil at their church called Glory Ministries. Adakole was waiting outside for Idoko while he dressed up for the vigil.

“He was alerted by her scream and ran out of their home.

“Adakole told him that the deceased had brought out his manhood and flashed the light of a torch on it, beckoning her to come and have sexual intercourse with him.

“Idoko called out for Eze his neighbour and the duo pursued the deceased, a scuffle ensued and the deceased became unconscious. The defendants, however, claimed that the deceased lost consciousness after hitting a table.

“When Adakole saw Smart up close, she realised that the deceased was her brother-inlaw (elder sister’s husband), the deceased was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead,” George said. (NAN)