Man docked for killing son over pot of soup

 A couple has appeared in a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria for allegedly killing their two-year-old son, Miracle, over a pot of soup.

The 27-year-old father of the victim, Itoro Cosmos, who had earlier been arraigned, was alleged to have used a plank to hit the head of his son, which resulted in his death.

The suspect, who is facing one-count murder charge was accused of allegedly committed the offence on June 2 at Eliogbolo in the state capital, contrary to Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Volume II Laws of Rivers State, 1999.

The charge read: “That you, Itoro Cosmos, on June 2, at Eliogbolo, at Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did murder one Miracle Itoro, by using wooden plank to hit him on his head and thereby, committed an offence, contrary to section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II, Laws of Rivers State, Nigeria, 1999.”

When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, the trial Magistrate, Mrs. F. N. Amanze, of Court 3, insisted that members of the family should produce the mother of the victim, who was not in court.

She, however, refused to accept the plea by the family of the woman, to settle the matter out of court without her appearing in court. The magistrate stated that she and her husband were involved in the fight, which resulted in the death of their son.

Meanwhile, the magistrate has adjourned the matter till July 29. She also ordered that a warrant be issued for the arrest of the woman, if she failed to appear in court on the adjourned date.

Earlier, counsel to the accused person told the court how the family of  her client’s wife sent a representative to her, with a written letter, stating their intention to withdraw the matter from court.  

Culled from The Sun