26-year-old man allegedly cuts off toddler’s head inside a church
26-year-old Christian Nweke has allegedly cut off the head of a two-year-old boy inside the Church of Christ Mission in Ebonyi State.
Nweke reportedly severed the head of the toddler and proceeded to drink his blood sometimes in December 2019.
According to a report by Southern City News, Nweke committed the crime while seeking spiritual help from the church situated in the Ugbaenyim Ezza, Umuhuali community, in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
On Friday, January 3, 2020, an Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court remanded Nweke, in a correctional facility for the crime.
His confession
The reports stated that Nweke confessed to the crime saying he’s not a spiritualist but became possessed after he got into the church premises.
“No. I’m not a ritualist. Nobody sent me to kill anybody. But I noticed that since the prophetess of this prayer ministry prayed for me, a lot of things have changed and I no longer reason right,” Nweke reportedly confessed.
Investigations conducted by the police revealed that Nweke used to be a barber in Onitsha, Anambra State before the allegedly committing the crime. He reportedly visited the church on the allegations of seeking help in curing his chest pains.
What Police had to say
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Sebastine Alumona, said the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
Meanwhile, Nweke’s counsel appealed to the court to grant him bail as he would not interfere with the lawful investigation into the matter.
Alumona, however, opposed the bail application and told the court that the suspect would jump bail and interfere with the investigation into the matter.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha said the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail on such cases. Onuoha, however, directed that the Nweke be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while his case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for advice.
The case was adjourned till January 17, 2020, for the report of compliance.