By Sunmola Olowookere
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A man in his early twenties, Odunayo Ikudehinbu who allegedly stabbed and killed his elder brother, Segun Ikudehinbu, aged 35 during a fit of rage in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area of Ondo state  is currently cooling his temper at the Olokuta prison custody after being remanded by a High Court sitting in Akure.

For allegedly causing the death of his elder brother through the accused person is currently facing trial before Justice Samuel Bola after he was slammed with a one count charge of manslaughter.

At the onset of the trial which was stalled due to the absence of a defense counsel, the accused person, Odunayo Ikudehinbu told the court that he had no lawyer as no other family member had been coming to check on him at the police station or at the prison since he was arrested.

The complainant, responding to the presiding judge, Justice Samuel Bola’s questions also corroborated the accused person’s claims that no other family member came to check on him at the prison custody, saying he was the only one taking food and provisions to him.

The presiding judge then asked the complainant that since he was the only one who cared about the accused person’s welfare maybe he would as well secure the accused person the services of a lawyer.

The complainant however was reluctant to offer any such help to the accused person as he said that the deceased was his brother from the same mother and the accused person only shared the same father with them.

He further stated that though he did not hate the accused person as he too is his family member but he wants justice to be served in the case as a honour to the memory of the deceased.

He described the accused person as a troublesome person who always look for trouble  within their family and  in their vicinity.

The judge then urged the accused person to ensure that he engage the services of a lawyer by the next court sitting in order to have a speedy trial.

During the next court sitting, he had secured the service of a defense counsel and hearing in the case commenced.

 His charge was read to him as follows; “that you, Odunayo Ikudehinbu, on 3rd December, 2017 around 10 p.m at Ayodele Compound, College road, Igbokoda did hit one Segun Ikudehinbu on the head with an hurricane lantern and stabbed him on the throat with a knife during a fight which led to his death”.

The accused person represented by one Barr. Olugbenga Adedibu pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the one count charge that was preferred against him

The prosecution led by one J.K Orimoloye of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, said the case was reported at the Igbokoda Divisional Police Station by the complainant.

From investigation conducted by the police, the prosecution said that the crime happened following a heated argument which degenerated into a fight between the accused person and the deceased.

In the course of the fight, the accused person had hit a hurricane lamp on the deceased’s head and also stabbed him with a knife on the throat which led to excessive bleeding.

He was said to have been rushed to a nearby hospital where he reportedly given up the ghost.

The accused person had allegedly taken to his heels though he was later apprehended by the police.

After he was arrested, the police obtained his statement.

The statement of the complainant and that of other witnesses were also obtained while the police visited the scene of the crime at Ayodele Compound, College road, Igbokoda.

The judge, Justice Samuel Bola adjourned the case till October 2nd for hearing.