Man arraigned for k!lling his wife with axe in Enugu

The Police in Enugu State have arraigned a 46-year-old man, Livinus Okoh, before a Magistrate Court in Enugu for allegedly k!lling his wife, Onyinyechi, at Amuri in Nkanu West Local Council.

Okoh was brought before Magistrate Uche Jideofor of Court 3, Enugu East Magisterial District, on a one-count chare of m8rder in the case Commissioner of Police vs Livinus Aniegbunam Okoh (marked CME/821C/2025), prosecuted by C.O. Ugwu and A.C. Amalu.

The Police alleged that Okoh killed his wife on October 8, 2025, by striking her with an axe on the lower jaw, leading to her d3ath, an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State.

The charge read: “That you, Livinus Aniegbunam Okoh ‘m’, on October 8, 2025, at about 4:00 a.m., at Umuedum Amuri in Nkanu West Local Council of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did unlawfully k!ll one Onyinye Okoh, aged 46, by hitting her with an axe on her lower jaw, which led to her d3ath.”

The accused is yet to take a plea.

The presiding magistrate ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant bail and ordered his remand in the correctional centre.

The case file was directed to be transmitted to the Enugu State Ministry of Justice for legal advice, while the matter was adjourned to December 17, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has strongly condemned the k!lling.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, described the incident as “a grave reminder of the persistent and unacceptable menace of gender-based violence in our society.”

She called on the judiciary and relevant authorities to ensure swift justice, stressing that violence against women in any form is a gross violation of human rights and contradicts the values of equality, respect, and dignity.

Enih reaffirmed the zero-tolerance stance of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration on domestic violence, pledging continued advocacy for the protection of women and girls.

She extended condolences to the family of the deceased and urged community members to speak out and report all forms of abuse, warning that “silence only protects the perpetrators.”

She added that the state government remains committed to working with law enforcement, the judiciary, and civil society to ensure justice and prevent future tragedies.