Couple charged with alleged murder of housemaid, knows fate July 7

ALAGOS High Court, Ikeja, yesterday, fixed July 7 for judgment in the suit involving a Lagos couple, Fortune and Stephen Nwankwo, who allegedly murdered their housemaid, Joy Adole, in Bariga. Lagos.

The trial judge, Oyindamola Ogala, fixed the date, after counsel to both parties adopted their written addresses.

The suspects were accused of killing a 19- year- old Adole on April 20, 2020, at their residence, located at 18, Ogundola Street, Bariga.

The couple is facing eightcount charge, bordering on conspiracy, involuntary manslaughter and accessory after the fact to murder.

They, however, denied the allegation, claiming that Adole committed suicide by hanging herself in her bedroom.

Following their plea of not guilty, the State Directorate of Public Prosecution ( DPP), commenced trial and called eight witnesses to prove the case against the couple.

The couple thereafter filed no case submission upon closing of prosecution case on October 12, 2021.

But, the court in a ruling, refused the application on November 24, 2021 and asked them to open their defence.

On January 17, the couple in their defence, told the court that the day preceding the incident, Joy was caught with noodles and was beaten, because she was fond of stealing foodstuffs at home.

The wife, Fortune said the deceased denied stealing the foodstuffs, but claimed to have bought them with her money.