Samson Folarin
"A launderer, Monday Eze, has stabbed his 55-year-old uncle, Ebere Akpu, to death in the Orile Agege area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Eze and Akpu had an argument over a minor issue on Sunday around 11pm.
After the disagreement, the suspect was said to have gone to a pub, where he became drunk.
While Akpu slept, the suspect allegedly stabbed him in different parts of his body.
Our correspondent gathered that Akpu died on Omotoye Estate where policemen from the Elere division recovered his corpse around 1am on Monday.
It was learnt that Akpu and Eze, who were married with children, hailed from Ebonyi State.
While the suspect had lived for more than 15 years in Lagos, the uncle, Eze, had lived for a few years.
Both men were said to be putting up with another relative, identified as James, who had a laundry on Omotoye Estate where the incident happened.
PUNCH Metro, in a visit to the estate on Monday, saw bloodstains on the road and in James’ laundry.
A trader, who did not give his name, said Eze was in the habit of making trouble when drunk.
She said, “I have known him for more than 15 years now. He makes trouble with everybody, especially when he is drunk. He would sometime strip and start misbehaving.
“When Ebere (Akpu) newly arrived from the village, I particularly advised him against arguing with Eze. I never knew Eze would kill him.”
A family member, who did not give his name, said Eze and the deceased had had a disagreement on Sunday.
Although he did not reveal the cause of the disagreement, he explained that the suspect felt slighted and decided to revenge.
He said, “Ebere sold bags; he didn’t have anything to do with the laundry where this incident happened, except that he kept his wares there. But Monday (Eze) lived there.
“Ebere was there to pass the night and he had washed the shirt and jean trousers he intended to wear on Monday for his business.
“They had a minor disagreement, which led to an argument. Ebere thought that was the end, but Monday stabbed him while he was asleep.”
The suspect was said to have fled as the victim staggered out, seeking help.
He was reportedly taken in a tricycle to a private hospital in the area by a resident.
However, when he was rejected due to the severity of the injuries, he was dumped on the road.
A resident, who did not want to be identified, said he saw Eze in a pool of blood on the road.
“I fled at the sight of the body on the road. I later called a security man to join me to identify and probably rescue him. When we got there, he was dead. The security guard identified him as one of the launderer’s family members,” he added.
Policemen from the Elere division were said to have removed the corpse and took it to their station.
It was learnt that the suspect later submitted himself to the police.
A relative told PUNCH Metro that the police put the corpse in front of the suspect at the station.
“He was in handcuffs. He looked round and saw a lot of family members and burst into tears. He said he never knew Ebere was dead. But we have decided that the matter is now between him and the government,” he said.
Another family member said the suspect was the third in the family to be held for murder.
“There is a curse on the family; it is not ordinary,” he added.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.
She said, “Around 11pm, one Ebere Akpu was assaulted by one Monday Eze with a machete. The victim died on the way to a hospital.
“His corpse has been deposited at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos for autopsy. The suspect has been arrested and the case transferred to the SDCI.”
Culled from PUNCH.
No comments:
Post a Comment