A 27-year-old Nigerian man named Owalum Benedict Ochin has been remanded in prison for beheading his friend and roommate identified as Ekon over a fight about the ingredients to put in a soup they were making at their home in Ipele, Ondo State.
The incident is reported to have occurred on November 29.
According to reports by local media, the accused, Benedict is an Indian hemp farmer who had relocated from his home state of Calabar to Ondo State in search of a job.
He was later introduced to Indian hemp farming by one Blessing Opor, whom he also attacked.
Benedict told the court during his arraignment:
“I killed my friend, Ekon because he provoked me. We were cooking soup and he went to pluck a leaf he knew would upset my stomach and put it inside the soup.”
Benedict said both of them reached for their cutlasses during their fight but he easily overpowered Ekon and hacked his body before cutting off his head.
He said he packed the head inside a bag and hid it inside the bush in an attempt to cover his crime.
Benedict Ochin said in the heat of his rage, he remembered another of his friend, Blessing, who had introduced him into the business of Indian hemp farming, had been owing him money so he attacked him too.
He said it was the alarm by Blessing that attracted others to the scene and he was arrested.
Benedict was arraigned on a two-count charge of “murder and attempted murder” and would remain in prison till his trial is over.
