Lagos To Arraign Danish Citizen Before High Court Over Murder Of Wife, Daughter
The Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Tuesday recommended the trial of Danish citizen, Peter Nielsen, who was accused of killing his wife Zainab, and his three-year-old daughter, Petra for murder before the state high court.
This recommendation was contained in a legal advice send to Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kikelomo Ayeye, of Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, before whom the foreigner is currently facing a two count charge of murder.
The DPP advice is necessary because a magistrate court is not constitutionally empowered to conduct a murder trial.
Following the development, Chief Magistrate Ayeye, on Tuesday further ordered the remand of the defendant in custody for another 30 days, to enable the police and the Lagos state government file criminal charge of murder against him before an High Court in the state.
It will be recalled that Nielsen, was brought before the court on April 11, by the legal department of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) of the police for alleged killing his wife and daughter.
After the charge was read to him, the court ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody pending the issuance of an advice by the DPP on the matter.
Parts of DPP’s advice reads: “I’m directed to acknowledged receipt of your letter with reference No. CB/3514/LSX/01/Vol.5/11, dated 14 April, 2018, the accompanying duplicate case file forwarded to this office for legal advice.
“After carefully considering the facts available in the duplicate case file, this office is of the considered opinion that a prima facie case of murder contrary to section 233 of the criminal law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state, 2015, exist against the suspect Page B1, Peter Nielsen.
“This office shall therefore prosecute the suspect Page B1, Peter Nielsen, for murder of Zainab Nielsen, and Patra Nielsen, of offence contrary to Section 223, of the Criminal laws Ch. C17, Vol. 3, laws of Lagos state, 2015”.
The matter has been adjourned till June 28, for his possible arraignment at the state High Court.
In the remand application filed before the court by the police Prosecutor, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), the 53 years old defendant was alleged to have killed both his 37 years old wife and three years old daughter, at their residence situated at Block 4 Flat 17 Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, on April 8.
The offence according CSP Asuquo, is contrary to and punishable under section 223 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2015 a Danish, who allegedly killed his wife, Zainab, and his 3-year-old daughter, Petra, for murder.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kikelomo Ayeye, of Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, made this known today, while reading in open court the advice issued by the DPP on the alleged crime of the Denmark citizen.
Chief Magistrate Ayeye, also granted further remand of the defendant for another 30 days, to enable the police and the Lagos state government file criminal charge of murder against him before an High Court in the state.