Two drown friend over missing phone

An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded two labourers in Lagos prison for touring and drowning their colleague for allegedly stealing phone.

The accused – Ayuba Abu, 32, and Dogo Yakubu 30 – are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

They were alleged to have murdered Mamudu Amidu, 34.

The Magistrate, Miss B.O. Ope-Agbe, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede had told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 8 at Plot 10, Prime Adesoji Ajose St., Ogudu GRA Phase 11, Lagos.

Iseghede alleged Abu and Dogo had vowed to beat Amidu (the deceased) for stealing a phone, but was pardoned after much plea from the deceased.

“But a neighbour, now at large, who heard about the matter, insisted that Amidu must be punished for the offence.

“The accused and the neighbour later tortured Amidu in a stagnant water, bathed and dipped him in the water … he lost consciousness and was later found dead,” Iseghede said.

The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 221and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 221 prescribes a death sentence for offenders.

The magistrate has adjourned the case to Sept. 13.