Trial of Female Lawyer Accused of Killing Husband Commences

The trial of female lawyer, Mrs. Udeme Otike-Odibi, facing allegations of murdering her husband, Symphorosa OtikeOdibi, commenced on Monday, before Justice A. Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

At the trial, the Prosecution team comprised the top echelon of the Ministry of Justice, led by the Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN leading the Director of Public Prosecutions, T. K Shitta-Bey, two Directors, one Assistant Director and other Principal State Counsel.

The Prosecution opened its case, by calling as witness, a neighbour of the couple, Stanley Iringe-Koko, who was said to have been the first person to see the couple in a pool of blood. He gave his testimony, and was cross-examined by Counsel to the Defendant, Oluseye Banjoko.

The sister of the deceased, Dr. Anwuli Akwukwuma, was also called as witness. In her testimony, she narrated that she had received calls from her mother and brother respectively, that the couple were involved in a fight. She also stated that, she was the one who certified the deceased dead, and called for the Defendant to be rushed to the hospital. The third witness

called by the Prosecution, was Andrew Otike-Odibi, the brother of the deceased.

On Wednesday, 10th October, which was the 2nd day of trial, the fourth Prosecution Witness, Mrs. Maureen Offor, a close friend of the couple, was led in evidence. Under cross- examination by Mr. Banjoko, Mrs. Offor stated that, she had always known the Defendant to be a peaceful person. According to her, in over two decades, she had never seen the Defendant get into an argument or altercation with anyone, and rather than engage in a quarrel, the Defendant would instead take the next available means to leave the environment.

Before the close of the day’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution, Ms. T. K. Shitta-Bey, informed the Court that the Prosecution intends to call four more witnesses, in proof of its case against the Defendant.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the matter to 30th October, 2018 and 7th November, 2018 for continuation of trial.