Alleged murder: SEC director’s husband in prison pending bail

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the remand of one Charles Eni-Umukoro in prison custody till May 19 pending the hearing of his bail application.

Justice Mary Anenih gave the order following the arraignment of the defendant, who pleaded not guilty to charges of culpable homicide filed against him by the Federal government.

Eni-Umukoro, a one-time chairman of Sapele Council in Delta State, was alleged to be responsible for the death of his wife, Louisa Eni-Umukoro, who until her death was a Director at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

He pleaded not guilty to the one count charge read to him.

Consequently, prosecution counsel led by Jubrin Okutepa SAN, asked the court for an adjournment to enable him respond to the bail application of the defendant and also call his witnesses in the suit.

Responding Justice Anenih, adjourned the matter till May 19 for hearing of the bail application.

The Judge had earlier refused a request for adjournment by Godwin Emagun, counsel to the defendant, on the grounds that he failed to present a justifiable reason for adjournment.

According to the charge signed by Kenneth Ubanwa of the Legal Section of the Force Headquarters, Umukoro allegedly caused the death of the woman by “hitting her on the head which caused internal hemorrhage with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence.”

The criminal charge followed a complaint by the deceased family, Eliab U. Ukponmwan of Oredo Council of Edo State, who cited several incidents of violence between the two, which he alleged led to the death of Mrs. Eni-Umukoro on April 21, last year.