House-Help Kills Employers

A house-help, Elizabeth Sampson, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos charged with the murder of a couple.
Sampson, who claimed to have been directed by a spirit to set ablaze the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Ekpa, allegedly committed the offence on Aug. 15, 2008.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that while Ekpa died immediately as a result of burns sustained, his wife, Justina died later on Nov. 18, 2008.

Eshiet said that the 43-year-old house-help resided with the deceased at Shoba Village, Abule-Ado in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

The prosecutor said the couples were asleep inside their apartment at 4 a.m. when the accused poured petrol around the building and set it ablaze.

Eshiet said that the offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos.

Elizabeth’s plea was, however, not taken by the court.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Ogala ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the legal advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ogala adjourned the case till Feb. 26 for further hearing.