Woman stabs another over a sitting bench in lagos

The Ebute Meta Magistrate's Court, Lagos State has remanded a 31-year-old woman, Stella Gilbert, in prison custody for allegedly stabbing her neighbour, Stella Olah, 30, to death.

The suspect and the deceased were neighbours on Ojora Street, Ajegunle. The Police said they had disagreement over an old bench left behind by a former resident who had relocated from the house.

The deceased's husband was said to have asked a friend who had visited him to seat on the bench; a move that was resisted by the accused.

The late Olah came out to defend her husband, which led to exchange of words with Gilbert.

The disagreement was said to have degenerated into fisticuffs. The suspect in a fit of rage allegedly went into her kitchen and brought out a knife with which she stabbed Olah.

Gilbert, who was arraigned on a one count of murder, was said to have committed the crime on June 22, 2013 around 4pm.

The charge read, "That you, Stella Gilbert, female, on June 22, 2013 at about 4pm, at No 59, Ojora Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Stella Olah, female, aged 30 years, by stabbing her with a sharp knife at the left side of her chest."

The prosecutor, Inspector R. Odige, said the offence was punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The accused plea was not taken.

Odige filed for her remand pending legal advice from the Office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution.

The magistrate, Ms S.O Solabo ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody in accordance with Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos State.

The matter was adjourned till August 26.