Court remands man for killing alleged gay chief

Eji Emmanuel

A 22-year-old man, Eji Emmanuel, has been remanded by an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for the alleged murder of one Chief Sylvanus Okoye, 39.

 Emmanuel was said to have stabbed the late Okoye with a kitchen knife in the neck on August 1, 2013, while the deceased allegedly attempted to rape him.

 PUNCH Metro had reported on November 27 that the suspect was arrested in Anambra State after police investigations revealed he had fled the scene after the crime was committed.

 Emmanuel, a dancer, had said he was lured to Lagos from his village by a friend, Chukwudi, who introduced him to homosexuality.

 He had alleged that his friend’s boss raped him twice.

 After he had allegedly reported the matter at the police station, he claimed the police turned the case against him and put him in detention.

 He had said after the ordeal, he approached late Okoye, whom he considered an Igbo leader in the state, to help him with money to return to Anambra State when Okoye also attempted to rape him.

 A scuffle had reportedly ensued between the duo on the night of the incident, before the defendant grabbed a kitchen knife with which he killed late Okoye.

 He was reportedly identified by the security man who saw him leave the apartment on the night of the incident.

 Emmanuel was arraigned on one count of murder.

 The charge read, “That you, Eji Emmanuel, on August 1, 2013 at 3.30am, at 9, Chief Ezemegbu Drive, Ago Okota, Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Sylvanus Okoye, aged 39 years, by stabbing him on the neck with a kitchen knife and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011.”

 His plea was not taken for the offence.

 The prosecutor, Asup Feddy, applied for the remand of the defendant pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Lagos State, 2011.

Feddy said the remand would also help the police get legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

 The magistrate, Mr. E.O Ogunkanmi, accepted to remand the defendant in prison for a minimum of 30 days permitted by the law. The matter was adjourned till January 6, 2014.

PUNCH