A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a 21-year-old carpenter, Anthony Alabi, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over the alleged murder of a 58-year-old woman, Veronica Olaseni.
The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on murder and theft.
During the court proceedings, the accused reportedly admitted to having intercourse with the deceased after her death, a statement that drew shock in the courtroom.
The presiding Magistrate, Temitope Adurota, declined to take the plea of the defendant on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to try murder cases. She subsequently ordered that the suspect be remanded pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Folashade Adebayo, informed the court that the incident occurred on March 2, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. in Iboropa-Akoko, located in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly strangled the victim on her farm after she identified him while he was attempting to steal from her.
The prosecutor further alleged that the accused stole several items from the deceased, including an Infinix mobile phone valued at ₦150,000, a cutlass worth ₦10,000, and an Access Bank ATM card.
The defendant, who was not represented by legal counsel, reportedly confessed that he had gone to the farm to steal cashew nuts but attacked the woman after being recognized.
The case file has since been forwarded to the DPP for legal advice, while the matter was adjourned until June 6, 2026, for mention.
