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A magistrate court in Ondo state has ordered the remand of a 27-year old Indian hemp farmer, Owalum Benedict Ochin, to prison custody for beheading his friend and roommate identified as Ekon after a brawl over ingredients to put in a soup.
This incident occurred at their home in Jungle forest, Ipele, Owo local government area on November 29, 2020.
The Nation reports that Mr Ochin, who hails from Calabar, relocated to Ondo State in search of job and was introduced to Blessing Opor and others who cultivated Indian hemp.
Benedict told the court:
”I killed my friend, Ekon because he provoked me. We were cooking soup and he went to pluck a leaf he knew would upset my stomach and put it inside the soup.”
The defendant reportedly told investigators that he used to have stomach upset anytime he consumed the leaf. He said both went for their cutlasses and began to fight with it which made them sustain injuries but he had the upper hand and was able to hack his friend all over his body, before he made the last stroke at the head.
He told the prosecuting team that he packed the head inside one bag and hid it inside the bush so that his crime would not be discovered.
On why he attacked Blessing, he said he was angry after killing his friend and remembered that Blessing owed him some money. He said it was the alarm by Blessing that attracted others to the scene and he was arrested.
Benedict was arraigned on a two count charge of “murder and attempted murder”.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Uloh Goodluck, said the offences were contrary to sections 516, 316 and punishable under section 319(1) and 390(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.
The plea of the defendant was not taken when the charge was read to him.
The presiding Magistrate, N.T. Aladejana, ordered that the Benedict be remanded in Ondo Correctional Centre pending the outcome of advice from the office of the Department of Public Prosecution.
The case was adjourned to January 21, 2021 for hearing.
