The is said to have lost his cool and used a machete on both sisters, killing Simi instantly, while Justina survived but lost her eyes and other parts of her body.
A police officer, Mr Ayenumuro Bolaji, has told a Jos High Court that Stephen Luka, who is standing trial for brutalising his girlfriend and killing her sister, owned up to the crime without duress
Bolaji, the Divisional Crime Officer, ‘A’ Division Police Headquarters, Jos, stood as a witness in a trial within trial, to ascertain if the statement given by the accused was not taken under duress.
“The statement was voluntary; there was no form of duress,” he told the court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Luka was arraigned in October 2016, over alleged murder, attempted murder, assault and sexual abuse.
Luka was alleged to have attacked two sisters – Simi Dusu and Justina Dusu – on July 27, 2016 at his home in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Jos, after they went to confront him over Justina (his girlfriend)’s pregnancy.
The accused had insisted on an abortion and was angry that Justina insisted on keeping the pregnancy.
He was said to have lost his cool and used a machete on both sisters, killing Simi instantly, while Justina survived but lost her eyes and other parts of her body.
The crime officer, while giving his testimony, said that the accused was brought to him on Aug. 8, 2016 by one Sgt. Apollos, who was the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the matter, with a confessional statement said to have been written by Luka.
“The accused person was brought to me on Aug. 8, by Sgt. Apollos, with a confessional statement said to have been written by Luka, who was alleged to have brutalised his girlfriend and killed her sister over the former’s pregnancy.
“I asked the IPO to read the statement to the accused and interpret it to him in Hausa before me, so that I will be sure that he understood what was contained in the statement.
“The accused person confirmed that he understood what was read to him and affirmed that he voluntarily gave the confessional statement stating that he committed the crime.
“The accused also confirmed to me that he was not given promises, intimidated or tortured, while writing his confessional statement.
“Luka also told me that it was the feeling of guilt that made him own up to the crime in his statement,” he told the court.
The officer said that he thereafter took the accused person to the Divisional Police Officer after signing the statement, and the same process was repeated with the accused reaffirming that he gave the statement voluntarily.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr David Adudu, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date for the defense of trial within trial.
The judge, Mrs. Nafisa Musa, after listening to his plea, adjourned the matter to June 5.
from pulse.ng - Gist http://ift.tt/2q4mwfT
What do you think? Leave Your Comments Here ;)