Father of nine, allegedly throws daughter’s corpse into Lagos canal

A man, Adekunle Adewusi, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly disposing his child’s remains inside a canal in Lagos state.

Adewusi a father of nine, who resides at Folorunsho Kuku Street, Opebi, Ikeja Lagos state, committed the offence on February 7 at about 10:00 p.m.

The corpse of the four-year old Rachel was found inside a canal close to the residence of the accused.

The accused in his statement claimed that, “My daughter [now deceased] was pushed upon a sharp object by her playmates, and because the wound was not properly treated, it developed into a big issue. He decided to do a home remedy which eventually led to her death.”

The accused allegedly dumped the body of the deceased child in a canal close to his residence.

The deceased is the sixth child of the accused, and has eight other siblings

The offence contravenes sections 165(a) (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015.

Adewusi who is standing trial on a two-count for misconduct with regards to a corpse, and without lawful justification in disposing of a corpse, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr A.T. Elias ordered the prosecutor to bring the other eight children of the accused and his wife so as to enable him to give his ruling on the adjourned date.

The magistrate also remanded the accused in police custody and adjourned the case till Feb. 27