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The trial of Udeme Otike-Odibi, a former Lagos banker and lawyer convicted of killing and mutilating her husband, Symphorosa Otike-Odibi, remains one of the most disturbing murder cases to come before the Lagos State High Court.

Otike-Odibi was convicted in 2023 of murdering her husband and mutilating his corpse. The court subsequently sentenced her to death by hanging for the murder and imposed a five-year prison term for misconduct involving a corpse.

The case dates back to May 3, 2018, when Symphorosa was found dead at the couple’s home in Diamond Estate, Ajah, Lagos, following a violent domestic confrontation.

The night of the murder

The prosecution’s case was that a disagreement between the couple, reportedly linked to allegations of infidelity and marital problems, escalated into violence.

According to evidence presented in court, Otike-Odibi first struck her husband with a frying pan before stabbing him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife.

The prosecution maintained that the attack was not a spontaneous crime of passion but a deliberate act.

Shortly after midnight on May 3, Otike-Odibi reportedly sent a troubling text message to her friend, Maureen Offor. The message raised concerns about her state of mind, prompting her friend to respond and remind her of plans they had discussed, including travelling to the United Kingdom and prioritising her health.

By about 2am, Symphorosa’s sister, Dr Anwuli Akwukwuma, became concerned after being unable to reach him. She contacted a neighbour, Stanley Grange-Koko, to check on the couple.

When family members and neighbours eventually gained access to the residence, Symphorosa was found dead on the marital bed.

The prosecution told the court that his abdomen had been cut open and his genitals severed and placed in his hand.

Medical evidence

The prosecution relied heavily on forensic and medical evidence to establish how Symphorosa died.

Pathologist Dr John Soyemi testified that the deceased suffered massive internal blood loss estimated at about 3.5 litres. According to his evidence, the fatal injuries were caused by damage to blood vessels in the mesentery, the tissue supporting the intestines, after a deep knife wound to the abdomen.

The defence also argued that Otike-Odibi had attempted to take her own life after killing her husband.

However, Dr Booyemi Oyeneyin, who treated her at Safeway Hospital on the morning of the incident, testified that the six wounds found on her abdomen were superficial.

The doctor said the injuries did not penetrate her internal organs and were consistent with what he described as hesitation-type wounds.

The prosecution used the medical evidence to challenge the claim that Otike-Odibi had been involved in a mutual attack or had genuinely attempted suicide.

Defence challenges confession

Otike-Odibi’s defence team, led by Oluseye Banjoko, challenged the admissibility of statements she made to detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.

The defence argued that the statements should be rejected because they were not video-recorded and were not made in the presence of a lawyer, citing provisions of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the 1999 Constitution.

The prosecution countered that the statements were voluntary and that their admissibility should be determined under the applicable provisions of the Evidence Act.

In a ruling delivered on April 11, 2019, Justice Adedayo Akintoye rejected the defence’s objection and admitted the statements as evidence.

The court held that the absence of a video recording or legal representation did not automatically render a voluntary statement inadmissible.

Mental-health argument rejected

The defence also sought to establish that Otike-Odibi was not in a sound mental state when the incident occurred.

But the prosecution’s forensic evidence, witness testimony and circumstances surrounding the killing were relied upon to establish that she understood her actions.

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Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is beatable in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he knows the President personally and understands his political strengths and weaknesses.

Daura, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Asked whether Tinubu could be defeated at the polls, Daura responded, “Very well,” arguing that the administration had made several mistakes that could work against the President in the 2027 election.

The former intelligence chief also dismissed the perception that Tinubu was unfamiliar to him, saying their relationship extends beyond politics.

“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is the President of the nation, he’s the leader, the Commander-in-Chief; in another class, we’re friends. We know ourselves very well,” he said.

Daura, however, cautioned that some claims and actions attributed to Tinubu did not necessarily reflect the President’s true position.

“There are lots of things being ascribed to him which he’s not,” he added.

‘I Took Bullets for Buhari’

Reflecting on his years in government, Daura said he still misses former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he served as DSS Director-General.

“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” he said, recalling the risks he faced while serving the former President.

Daura also criticised individuals he described as sycophants who surrounded Buhari, accusing them of betraying the former President’s trust and exploiting his administration.

“There were so many sycophants around Buhari; they betrayed the trust he gave them and took advantage of that government,” he said.

Why Makinde-Daura Ticket

Defending his partnership with Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, Daura said the duo shared a common vision and understanding of the country’s challenges.

“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country,” he said.

Daura added that the ticket’s central message was to “reset” the country and chart a new direction for Nigeria.

His comments came shortly after the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.

The event was attended by several political figures, including former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

Obi described Makinde as qualified to serve as President and urged Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidate in the 2027 election.

He also called on political leaders to work together in the national interest, regardless of who eventually emerges victorious at the polls.

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At just 17, Labaran Majeed Alidu is already making history in Ghanaian football after taking on the captaincy of Vision FC in the Ghana Premier League.

Born on February 24, 2009, Alidu has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young defenders and is recognised as the youngest player to captain a Ghana Premier League side.

His appointment is particularly remarkable given the demands of leading a senior professional team at an age when many players are still competing in youth football.

Alidu has been a key part of Vision FC’s commitment to developing young talent, earning valuable experience in Ghana’s top-flight league while taking on increasing responsibility within the squad.

His progress has also been recognised by the club. At Vision FC’s end-of-season awards, Alidu was named Young Player of the Season, highlighting his rapid development and growing importance to the team.

The teenage defender featured regularly for Vision FC during the 2025/26 season, further strengthening his reputation as one of Ghana’s emerging young footballers.

Beyond his defensive abilities, Alidu’s leadership qualities have set him apart. Wearing the captain’s armband at 17 represents a significant vote of confidence from the club and places him in a unique position to develop both as a player and a leader.

Vision FC’s willingness to give young players opportunities at senior level has provided Alidu with a platform to test himself against experienced professionals and accelerate his development.

His breakthrough could also serve as a model for Ghana’s youth development system, demonstrating the potential rewards of giving talented youngsters meaningful opportunities in the domestic league.

With much of his career still ahead of him, Alidu will now be hoping to build on his historic breakthrough, improve his game and establish himself as one of Ghana’s leading young defenders.

For now, his remarkable rise has already secured him a place in Ghana Premier League history.