Farm labourer remanded for allegedly killing employer’s husband in Ondo

A 34-year-old farm labourer, John Odah, has been remanded by an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing his employer’s husband during a violent altercation.

According to reports, Odah, who was hired by the deceased’s wife to work on their farm, allegedly attacked the man with a machete during a heated argument.

The confrontation reportedly broke out after Odah offered the deceased Indian hemp, which he rejected.

Following the disagreement, Odah allegedly struck the victim on the head with a machete, leading to his death. He was subsequently arrested and arraigned in court, where the magistrate ordered his remand pending further investigations.

The prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at about 2pm April 18, 2025, at Agbajo Farm, in Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State.

Akintimehin alleged Odah of inflicting fatal machete wounds to the deceased’s forehead and back, which eventually led to his d3ath.

The charge reads, “That you, John Odah, m, on April 18, 2025, at about 2:pm, Agbajo farm via Ilu-Abo, in the Akure Magisterial District, did unlawfully macheted one Sunday Innocent ‘m’ with a cutlass on his forehead and back which resulted in his d3ath.”

The offences, according to the charge, contravened Sections 319(1) and 320(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant’s plea was not taken by the magistrate court.

Due to the nature of the offence, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant to any correctional facilities in the state pending advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Magistrate Mrs. O. Omotosho granted the request, citing probable cause for remand of the defendant in the correctional centre, and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file for the DPP.

The case has been adjourned till May 30, 2025, for mention.