A couple, Fortune and Stephen Nwankwo, living in Bariga area of Lagos State was on Wednesday told to open their defence against the charge of involuntary murder filed against them by the Lagos State Government over the death of their house maid, Joy Adole.
The couple told the police in their statement that the 19-year-old Adole committed suicide in her room located at their residence at No. 18, Ogundola St., Bariga, Lagos when they were apprehended.
After the close of the case of the prosecution, the couple through their lawyer filed a no-case submission, urging the court to discharge and acquit them of the offences preferred against them by the state.
In her ruling on Wednesday, the trial Judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala of an Ikeja High Court dismissed their No case submission, ordering them to open their defence.
Justice Ogala in her ruling held: “This court has carefully considered the position of the law and believe that the prosecution has established that there is a ground for further proceedings.
“The no-case submission cannot hold. Therefore, the defendants are now called to give their evidence,” she said.
Counsel who represented the Nwakwos, Prof Paul Ananaba (SAN), had on October 11 addressed the court, arguing that the Directorate of Public Prosecution has been unable to establish a case of murder against the couple.
The lawyer argued that the state only relied on hearsay evidence in their case against the couple, while praying the court to uphold his argument on no case submission.
Responding to the no-case submission, the state prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule, raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the death of Adole in the home of her employers.
The prosecutor submitted that the circumstantial evidence presented to the court by the prosecution will prove that the defendants killed the deceased.
The Nwankwos are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, involuntary manslaughter and accessory after the fact to murder.
The couple pleaded not guilty to the offences of manslaughter of Adole.
They claim that she committed suicide by hanging herself in her bedroom.
Authorities, however, disputed the claim and alleged that the position in which the hung corpse was found does not depict a suicide.
The case was adjourned until January 17 and 31, 2022 for defence.
