Rita Odafe
A laborer named Sunday Emmanuel has been remanded at the Segede correctional facility following a court appearance on Tuesday in Akure, Ondo State, where he was charged with the murder of his wife.
Emmanuel is accused of fatally attacking his wife, Linda, aged 35, with a machete during a heated argument about finances.
In addition to this, he allegedly also attacked their 3-year-old son, striking him on the head in an attempt to kill him.
Chief Magistrate Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi did not accept a plea from Emmanuel, instead ordering his detention at the facility while waiting for guidance from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Ondo State Ministry of Justice.
She also instructed that the case file be forwarded to the DPP for further advice.
Emmanuel faces charges of murder and attempted murder, as outlined by Inspector Josephine Awanna during the court proceedings.
Awanna explained that the violent incident occurred on October 7 at approximately 5:30 PM in Ogbeni Camp Ofosu, located in the Idanre Local Government area of Ondo State.
According to Awanna, Emmanuel killed his wife by striking her on the neck and cheek with a machete.
Afterward, he allegedly attacked his son, Sunday, inflicting a serious head injury that placed the child’s life in jeopardy.
Investigations revealed that the tragic event stemmed from a dispute over how to manage their annual income.
The argument escalated and prompted Emmanuel to retrieve a machete from another room, leading to the fatal assault on his wife.
The formal charges stated: “That you, Sunday Emmanuel, on October 7, 2004, around 5:30 at Ogbeni Camp via Ofosu in the Ondo Magistratorial District, unlawfully killed one Linda Emmanuel, aged 35, by macheting her on the neck and cheek, thereby committing an offense in violation of Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
“That you, Sunday Emmanuel, on the same date, time, and location, unlawfully attempted to kill your 3-year-old son by macheting him on the head.”
These actions contravene Sections 319 (1) and 320(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006. The defendant did not enter a plea.
Given the serious nature of the charges, the prosecution requested that the court keep Emmanuel in detention while awaiting advice from the DPP.
Magistrate Odenusi-Fadeyi agreed to adjourn the case until February 2, 2025, when it will be revisited.
