Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of an Ikeja High Court will on May 3 deliver judgment in a case of alleged murder of a housewife, Mrs Stella Godwin, by another housewife who is her namesake and neighbour.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adebiyi fixed the date on Wednesday after the defence and the prosecution filed their final written addresses.
One 36-year-old Stella Gilbert is standing trial before the court for the murder of Godwin.
The prosecution alleged that Gilbert stabbed Godwin, mother of three, to death during a fight on June 22, 2013, at No. 59, Ojora St., Ajegunle, Lagos state.
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The fight was allegedly caused by an argument over the use of a bench belonging to their former neighbour.
Gilbert, however, pleaded not guilty.
Her counsel, Mr I. E. Isu, prayed the court on Wednesday to acquit her.
“ In our final written address dated December 19, 2018, we rely on the arguments and adopt the final written address.
“We urge this court to discharge and acquit the defendant,” he said.
However, state counsel, Mrs O. R. Ahmed-Muili, urged the court to convict the housewife.
“Our final written address is dated February 13. We adopt all the submissions and urge the court to convict the defendant,” she said.
NAN reports that during the trial, four witnesses – the husband of the deceased, one Comfort Adang, ASP. Fatai Popoola and one other person – testified for the prosecution, while the defendant testified for the defence.
According to the prosecution, the defendant stabbed the deceased with a knife on the chest and arm during a fight.
“The fatal fight was caused by an argument over the use of a bench belonging to a former neighbour, who had moved out of the building”, the prosecutor said.
NAN reports that murder contravenes Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and punishable with death. (NAN)
