LAGOS: MAN MURDERS GIRLFRIEND, FLEES TO COTE D’IVOIRE
37-year-old man, Kelechukwu Chukwuanugo, accused of killing his girlfriend, Lizzy Nzewi, Tuesday told an Igbosere, Lagos High Court, that he fled the crime scene to save his life after noticing that she was foaming from the mouth.
He also told the court how he withdrew N120, 000 from the deceased’s account and fled the country to Cote d’Ivoire.
Chukwuanugo stated this while under cross-examination by the State Prosecutor, Mr Tunde Sunmonu,
Chukwuanugo is facing lone count charge of murder preferred against him by the state before Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
The prosecutor had alleged that the defendant killed the deceased by strangling her with a wrapper.
He said the defendant committed the alleged offence on July 19, 2014, at 2.00 p.m, at Plot 34, Green Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
The defendant was first arraigned on January 20, 2016 and was ordered to be remanded in prison custody.
When he opened his defence on March 5, the defendant had told the court that he was in love with the deceased and had no intention of killing her.
He claimed that the woman had died when both of them had a misunderstanding which led to a small scuffle.
He also claimed to have sustained an injury in his scrotum while struggling with the deceased.
During resumed proceedings Tuesday, Chukwuanugo told the court that after noticing that the deceased was not moving, he took her ATM card, withdrew the sum of N120, 000 from the deceased’s account which he used to flee the country.
“I was running for my life, there was nothing I could do for her when I noticed she was not moving after falling.
“I did not know she will die, we were dragging her phone, she slipped and fell on the floor,” Chukwuanugo narrated.
The defendant said he was arrested by the Police at Republic of Cote d’Ivoire by the road side where he parked his car.
Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr J.C.Jiakponna had told the court that he summoned the hospital where the defendant was treated after his arrest in order for him to appear before the court to give evidence for his defence.
Jiakponna informed the court that the hospital was not coming forth to give evidence.
He also said that the police refused to produce the defendant’s international passport, drivers’ license and the ATM card seized from him.
He, however, tendered before the court the letters written to the hospital and the police and which were admitted in evidence.
The defence counsel thereafter told the court that he had no other witness and closed its defence.
Justice Adedayo Akintoye, has adjourned the matter until November 27 for counsels to file their final written addresses.
@ The Nation