A Magistrate’s Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the detention of a 21-year-old carpenter, Anthony Alabi, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over the alleged killing of a 58-year-old woman, Veronica Olaseni.
The defendant was brought before the court by the police on two counts of alleged murder and theft.
However, the presiding magistrate, Temitope Adurota, refused to take his plea, citing lack of jurisdiction to try the case.
The court consequently directed that the suspect be kept in custody pending legal advice from the Ondo State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Presenting the case, the prosecutor, Inspector Folashade Adebayo, informed the court that the incident occurred on March 2, 2026, around 2:30 p.m. at Iboropa-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
She alleged that the defendant attacked the victim on her farm after she identified him during an attempt to steal her property.
The prosecutor further stated that the suspect allegedly made away with items belonging to the deceased, including a mobile phone valued at N150,000, a cutlass said to cost N10,000, and an ATM card.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 319 and 390 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Adebayo urged the court to order the remand of the defendant pending the advice of the DPP.
In her ruling, the magistrate directed that the case file be forwarded to the DPP for necessary action and adjourned the matter until June 6 for mention.
