Dutch National Arraigned for Murder

Dutch National Arraigned for Murder

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 2:59 pm


Peter Nielson


By Akin Kuponiyi

The Lagos State Government today arraingned a Dutch National, Peter Nielson (for allegedly murdering his wife and daughter) before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, Lagos State south west Nigeria. Nielson is facing a two count charge of murder.

The Lagos State Prosecutor who is also the Attorney General and commissioner for justice , Mr Adeniji Kazeem, told the Court that the defendant committed the offence on April 5, 2018.

The defendant was alleged to have killed his wife Zainab Nielson and his daughter Petra Nielson, at their resident in Banana Island in Eti -Osa local Government area of Lagos State,
at about 3:45 am, at number 4, flat, 17, at Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island Ikoyi.

The offence alleged to have been committed by the accused Dutch is punishable under Section 223, Cap C17, Vol 3, Criminal law of Lagos State 2015. However the 53-year old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

The Prosecutor then , asked for a trial date in vew of the defendant’s plea of not guilty.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr Olasupo Shasore SAN, said he was not opposing the charge but that the defence would like to carry out their own test. “We are interested in taking the blood sample of the defendant , I thought it will be better to inform this court that his blood sample would be taken for DNA, analysis,” he said.

Consequently, Justice Bola Okikiol-Ighile asked the defendant if he would like to give his consent so that his blood sample could be taken for DNA test. Nielson said ” Yes I will give my consent for my blood sample to be taken for DNA”.

Shasore who was the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, also told the Court: “We are interested in the autopsy report and the prosecution has assured us that we would get it in four weeks, we need to consult some of our experts for analysis,of the test as we would need it during trial.” He added. However the prosecutor told the Court that there is an interim autopsy report and that it would be made available to the defence.

Mr Kazeem added: ” The blood sample of the defendant will be collected by the State Government to the forensic lab for analysis.”
The prosecutor had earlier told the court that the matter for the day was an arraingment of the defendant and the defence counsel confirmed that they received the proof of evidence on April 30.

Meanwhile the presiding Justice, Okikiol-Ighile, ordered that the defendant should be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to October 8 for trial to commence

On May 8, a Yaba Chief Magistrates was informed that the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution DPP was out and that Nelson has a case to answer.

The legal advice reads : “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter with reference number CB: 3514/ LSX/ D4/ Volume 5/ 11, dated 14 April 2018. And the accompaning 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 Sections 223, of the criminal law CH. C17. Vol 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015, exists against the suspect Peter Nielsen.”

Mr Effiong Asuquo a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, had asked the court for a further remand other for the prosecution to be able to conclude investigation and to file all the necessary processes before the State High Court.

However Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kikelomo Ayeye further remanded the Dutch National to prison custody to enable the police and the state file charges before the State High Court.


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