A Magistrate Court in Ondo State has ordered the remand of one Owalum Benedict Ochin in prison custody, for beheading his friend and roommate, over an argument surrounding soup ingredient.

It was said that the suspect, 27, an Indian hemp farmer, killed and decapitated the victim, identified simply as Ekon, in their home in Jungle Forest, Ipele, Owo Local Government Area of the state on November 29, 2020.

Ochin, who hails from Cross River State, had relocated to Ondo in search of a job.

He was, however, introduced to one Blessing Opor and others who cultivated Indian hemp. 

 ”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,” Ochin told the court.

 The defendant reportedly told investigators that he and the deceased went for their cutlasses and began to fight, during which they both sustained injuries.

He claimed that he overpowered his friend and beheaded him. 

The suspect further said he packed the head of the victim in a bag and hid it inside the bush to cover the crime.

Ochin, who also attacked Opor, stated that he was angry after he remembered that he was owing him some money.

He was arraigned on a two count charge of “murder and attempted murder”.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Uloh Goodluck, said the offences were contrary to sections 516, 316 and punishable under section 319(1) and 390(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

The plea of the defendant was not taken when the charge was read to him.

 The presiding Magistrate, N.T. Aladejana, ordered that he should be remanded in Ondo Correctional Centre pending the outcome of advice from the office of the Department of Public Prosecution.

Aladejana adjourned the case till January 21, 2021 for hearing.