Police accuse 12-year-old of stabbing friend to death.

Emotions ran high at an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court after a 12-year-old boy (name withheld) appeared before the court for allegedly stabbing his friend, Musa Tajudeen, to death.

Our correspondent learnt that the 14-year-old victim was stabbed in the stomach with a knife by the minor during an affray. The action was said to have resulted in the victim’s death.

The police said the incident happened on Town Hall Street, Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos State.

The magistrate, O.O. Olatunji, appeared shocked after the young suspect, who broke down in tears, was put in the dock to answer to the charge of murder.

Olatunji called the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Allan Deorji, to explain the outcome of police investigation.

Deorji said, “On January 31, 2014, there was a fight between boys from Akintumoye and Tall Hall streets. Four people were involved from both sides.

“During the fight, the defendant went inside his father’s house to pick a knife. We learnt that his friends tried to dissuade him fron using the knife.

“But he was said to have argued that the deceased had given him a fist blow on his chest and he must retaliate. He pushed the victim to the floor and  stabbed him.”

The IPO said the victim died before he could get medical attention.

Olatunji invited the father of the minor to enquire about the training he had given the child.

His father said, “I am a butcher in Amukoko and my wife sells herbs. We have four children. He is the second child.

“I have never beaten up my wife before or threaten her with a knife. In fact, I still do not understand, because the boy that died was his close friend. I have never seen him fight or make trouble before.”

It was learnt that before the incident, the minor was not attending a formal school. He was said to have been learning a trade during the day time, while attending Quranic classes in the evening.

The police prosecutor, Inspector George Nwosu, applied for his remand in prison pending the release of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

Nwosu said since the matter involved murder, the law required that he should be put in custody, till investigations were concluded.

However, Ms Mustapha Olamide, from the Office of the Public Defender, objected to Nwosu’s application.

She said, “It is unfortunate that somebody has died and there is nothing that can be done to bring him back.

“But I urge the court to take into recognition the nature of this case and the age of the offender. He is only 12 years.

“Investigations have already been concluded and the father of the deceased has written a letter to withdraw the matter from court. We prayed the court to allow the minor to be granted bail pending the DPP’s advice.”

Olatunji in his ruling said, “I have listened to the point of the representative from the OPD, so I will not order him to be taken to the Ikoyi Prison. Due to the nature of the case, he is to be remanded in the correctional home for boys at Oregun, Ikeja.”

The matter was adjourned till April 4, 2014 for mention.