18-year-old son strangles mum to death for calling him bastard in Ondo

A Chief Magistrates’ Court, in Akure, Ondo during the weekend, directed the remand of one 18-year-old Tope Momoh, for allegedly strangling his mother, Stella Momoh, 52, to death.

Nelson Akintimehin who’s the Police Prosecutor, revealed that the suspect has been arraigned for murder.

Akintimehin narrated that the suspected killer carried out the criminal act at midnight on September 6, 2022, at Ikakumi Akoko, in Ondo state.

He told the court that the defendant strangled his 52 year old mother to death at midnight for calling him a bastard.

The police Prosecutor said that the defendant confessed he took the life of his mother two weeks after she had been buried.

Akintimehin revealed that the circumstance surrounding the victim’s death was not initially known when she lost her life until her 18 year old son confessed to being the perpetrator of the act.

“Tope, in his confession, said he was forced to tell his relatives that he strangled his mother to death when she woke him up at midnight, raining curses on him and calling him a bastard repeatedly.”

The police prosecutor also added that the offence is in contravention of Section 319(1)of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II Law of Ondo State, 2006.

The suspected killer pleaded with the court that: “I did not have rest of mind since my mother has been buried. So, I was forced to confess that I strangled her to death. So, I want the court to show me mercy.”

However, the police prosecutor, implored the court to remand the suspect in a custodial centre, till the outcome of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The plea of the defendant was rejected as Musa Al-Yunnus, the Chief Magistrate directed his remand at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.

The Chief Magistrate, therefore, adjourned the matter till October 20, 2022, for a ruling.