By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police at the Ikoyi Division, Ikoyi, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria have arrested a cook from the Benin Republic, Amoussou Wilfred, 35, and charged him before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court for allegedly administering poisonous substance into the food he prepared for his employer, Musibau Akanji Fashanu, 80 years; his wife, Jumoke Fashanu and their three domestic servants which led them to fall into coma for about five days during which the cook used the opportunity to steal the couple’s properties worth N51m and fled.
Police alleged that Wilfred also poisoned the food he prepared for the security man, Friday Agoh; the house help, Theresa Odite and the nanny, Margret Dewene which led them to also fall asleep for three days during which the cook carted away his employer’s property such as five android phones valued at N1,900,000; assorted gold jewelry; wrist watches; laptops and money all valued at N51m and escaped.
Police further alleged that when the complainants recovered from the coma, they reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Ikoyi Division, Ikoyi, Lagos who swiftly directed his crack team to fish out the defendant.
The team swung into action and after days of intelligence gathering tracked the defendant to a hideout in Lagos and arrested him.
Wilfred was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, Lagos on a seven-count charge bordering on attempted murder and stealing.
Police Prosecuting Counsel, Inspector Hafsat Ajibode informed the Court in the charge marked M/6/2023 that the defendant and others still at large committed the offence at Olamijuyi Avenue, Park View Estate and at Delta Street, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Ajibode told the Court that the defendant administered poisonous substance into the food he prepared for his employers, security man, house help and Nanny which led them to fall asleep for five and three days during which the cook carted away his employers’ property valued at N51m and escaped before he was arrested through tracking.
Ajibode said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under sessions 411,230 and 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Gbajumo Ayoku granted him N1m bail with two sureties in like sum.
Ayoku adjourned the case till 24 April 2023 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till he is able to perfect the bail conditions.
