Ladipo Sanusi/
The Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) has approved the murder trial of a Danish who allegedly killed his wife and daughter in Lagos.
Peter Nielsen will be tried for the murder of his wife, Zainab, and his 3-year-old daughter, Petra, says Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kikelomo Ayeye, of Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, who read the DPP advice in open court today.
Chief Magistrate Ayeye, also granted further remand of the defendant for another 30 days, to enable the police and the Lagos State government file criminal charge of murder against him before an High Court in the state.
NewsmakersNG had reported that the Denmark citizen was brought before the court on April 11, by the legal department of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), Panti-Yaba, Lagos, for the alleged crime.
After the charge was read to him, the Court ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody pending the issuance of an advice by the DPP on the matter.
The DPP’s advice reads in part: “I’m directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter with reference No. CB/3514/LSX/01/Vol.5/11, dated 14 April, 2018, the accompanying duplicate case file forwarded to this office for legal advice.
“After carefully considering the facts available in the duplicate case file, this office is of the considered opinion that a prima facie case of murder contrary to section 233 of the criminal law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state, 2015, exist against the suspect Page B1, Peter Nielsen.
“This office shall therefore prosecute the suspect Page B1, Peter Nielsen, for murder of Zainab Nielsen, and Patra Nielsen, of offence contrary to Section 223, of the Criminal laws Ch. C17, Vol. 3, laws of Lagos state, 2015.”
The matter has been adjourned till June 28, for his possible arraignment at the state High Court.
In the remand application filed before the Court by the police prosecutor, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), the 53-year-old defendant allegedly killed both his 37-year-old wife and 3-year- old daughter, at their residence situated at Block 4 Flat 17 Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, on April 8.
The offence according to CSP Asuquo, is contrary to and punishable under section 223 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2015.
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