A 54-year-old man identified as Eseni Chima, accused of killing his wife, Ugochukwu, was on Tuesday, December 17, charged with murder at an Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

The prosecutor, Emmanuel Monday, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on September 4 at 60 Ogbaga Road, Kpirikpiri, in Abakaliki Local Government in Ebonyi State. He told the court that the defendant had allegedly beaten his wife with iron rods until she died.

He said the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Vol 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.

The Magistrate, Chinedu Agama, did not take Mr Chima’s plea because of lack of jurisdiction.

The magistrate further directed the police to send the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

Agama adjourned the case until 31 December for further hearing.