Absence of defence counsel stalls trial

The absence of a defence counsel yesterday stalled the trial of Blessing Edet, 24, charged before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly killing her fiancé during an argument over engagement ring.

At the resumed proceeding yesterday, the prosecution, Ms O. A Bajulaiye-Bishi, told the court that the day was set for the defence to open its case.

Bajulaiye-Bishi said the defence counsel was indisposed and sent a letter requesting for an adjournment.

The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, granted the request and adjourned the matter till February 7.

The defendant, who lives at Falana Street, Ogombo, Lekki, Lagos, was charged with the murder of 33-year-old Mr. Edet Ebong.

She, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution had told the court that the woman committed the alleged offence at about 12:15am on August 18, 2015, at her apartment which she shared with the deceased.

She said the defendant and the deceased were living together as lovers. Ebong had proposed to marry Edet and given her an engagement ring as a proof of his love and commitment.

“But at about 11pm on August 17, 2015, the deceased returned from work and asked the defendant to prepare a meal for him.

“While she was preparing the meal, Ebong noticed that Edet was not wearing her engagement ring and he queried her about it. An argument ensued, which degenerated into a fight.

“During the scuffle, Edet stabbed her fiancé in the abdomen with a kitchen knife, leading to his death,” the prosecutor alleged.