In Ebonyi: Man kills stepmother over alleged witchcraft

An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Friday, remanded one Elom Maduka, 38, in a correctional facility for allegedly killing his stepmother, Mrs Augustina Odio.

The suspect, it was gathered, was said to have complained that the victim was appearing in his dreams and telling him that she was responsible for his lack of progress.


The suspect trailed her to her farm and dealt several machete blows to her head and legs.

Punch learnt that the suspect committed the offence at Amohu village, Ezillo community, in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.

The accused was arraigned on one count of murder.

The police prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, told the court that the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

The charge read, “That you, Elom Odio Maduka, on June 12, 2020, at the Amohu Ezillo community in the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did cause the death of one Augustina Odio, 50, by inflicting machete cuts on her head and legs, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”

The accused was not represented in court by a counsel, thus no bail application was made on his behalf.

Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha directed that he should be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while his case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for necessary legal action.

She adjourned the case till July 15, 2020, for report of compliance. Punch