Police arraign woman who killed three-year-old for vomiting

A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly killing her husband’s niece, Deborah Bassey.

It was reported on August 2, that the defendant allegedly beat up the deceased for vomiting and defecating on herself.

Police sources had said young Deborah, who lost her mother in 2010, had been sent by her father to stay with his brother.

On the said date, Deborah was said to have woken up  with a high temperature and started vomiting.

This was said to have angered the defendant, who reportedly beat her up instead of administering medical treatment.

It was reported that the victim started to bleed from the head before some neighbours rushed her to Ahmadiyya Hospital, where she was referred to Orile Agege General Hospital. She died at the hospital.

The incident occurred at Powerline Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro area of Lagos State.

Rebecca was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

The police told the court on Tuesday that Rebecca killed the three-year-old by hitting her head on an iron chair.

The one count murder charge read, “That you, Rebecca Bassey, f, on the July 22, 2013 at about 0600hrs, at No 158, Powerline Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Deborah Uduak Bassey, f, aged 3 years, by hitting her head on an iron chair and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The police added that the accused made confessional statement, and although investigation was still on, there was finger print evidence to nail the accused.

Her plea was not taken.

The prosecutor, Inspector Frank Inah, filed application for the remand of the defendant pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

Counsel for the defendant, Mr. Olabisi Kolawole, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant.

He said, “The charge does not represent the true facts of the case. The scripture says spare the rod and spoil the child. It was a mere spank that led to the death of the deceased. She has been taking care of this child for a very long time.”

The magistrate, Mr. O.A Komolafe, however, remanded the defendant in prison pending the DPP’s advice.

The matter was adjourned till October 2.