Man Arraigned For Allegedly Killing Brother’s Wife With Axe In Ebonyi

A 61-year-old man identified as Moses Nweze, has been arraigned by the Ebonyi State Police, over the alleged murder of his elder brother’s wife.

Mrs Mary Nwomege, identified as his brother’s wife, was reportedly killed by Nweze on February 24, 2024.

Following his arrest, Nweze was brought before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court on Monday.

During the arraignment, Eze Chinagorom, counsel to the police, informed the court that Nweze had used an axe to strike Mrs. Nwomege on the head from behind while she was cooking.

The charge against Nweze, as stated in court records, reads: “That you, Moses Nweze ‘m’, on February 24, 2024, at Edukwu Ndegazu in Ikwo Local Government Area within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, unlawfully caused the death of one Mary Nwomege “f” by hitting her with an iron axe.”

The police added that Nweze had committed an offence punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.

After the charges were read, the Presiding Magistrate, Lilian Ogodo, stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter.

Consequently, she remanded Nweze in custody at the Abakaliki Correctional Service and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for further action.

Speaking to our reporter, the victim’s daughter, Chinasa Nwomege, recounted the harrowing incident.

“I was inside the house when suddenly I heard my mother’s distressed breathing. I rushed out to find my uncle, Moses, striking my mother on the head with an axe. I raised an alarm, and neighbors came to help us rush my mother to the hospital.”

Chinasa expressed the family’s desire for justice for her slain mother.