A Magistrate’s Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a 21-year-old carpenter, Anthony Alabi, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over the alleged killing of a 58-year-old woman, Veronica Olaseni.
Alabi was brought before the court by the police on a two-count charge of murder and theft. During proceedings, he also admitted to having sexual contact with the deceased after her death, claiming, “I didn’t want her body to go to waste.”
The court, however, did not take his plea, stating that it lacks jurisdiction to try the case.
Presiding Magistrate, Temitope Adurota, ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Folashade Adebayo, told the court that the incident occurred on March 2, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. in Iboropa-Akoko, located in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to the prosecution, Alabi allegedly strangled the victim to death on her farm after she recognized him while he was attempting to steal from her.
He was also accused of stealing several items belonging to the deceased, including an Infinix phone valued at ₦150,000, a cutlass worth ₦10,000, and an Access Bank ATM card.
Part of the charge states that the defendant caused the death of Veronica Olaseni by holding her neck tightly, an offence punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006. He was also charged with theft under Section 390 of the same law.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant while awaiting further legal direction from the DPP.
The defendant, who had no legal representation, reportedly confessed that he went to the victim’s farm to steal cashew nuts but attacked her after she identified him.
The court directed that the case file be forwarded to the DPP’s office and adjourned the matter until June 6 for mention.
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