Trial Of Dutchman Who Murdered Wife, Daughter Begins Oct 8

The trial of Dutchman, Peter Nielson, who allegedly murdered his wife and daughter was on Wednesday scheduled for October 8.

He faces two counts of murder. At his court appearance on Wednesday at Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, Adeniji Kazeem, the Lagos State Prosecutor who is also the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 5, 2018.

The defendant was alleged to have killed his wife, Zainab Nielson, and his daughter, Petra Nielson, at their residence, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Eti -Osa local Government of Lagos State, at about 3:45 am.

The offence alleged to have been committed by the Dutch is punishable under Section 223, Cap C17, Vol 3, Criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

However, the 53-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

The Prosecutor then asked for a trial date.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr Olasupo Shasore SAN, said he was not opposing the charge but that the defence would like to carry out their own test.

“We are interested in taking the blood sample of the defendant, I thought it will be better to inform this court that his blood sample would be taken for DNA analysis, he said.”

Consequently, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, asked the defendant if he would like to give his consent so that his blood sample can be taken for DNA test.

Nielson agreed.

Shasore who was the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, also told the Court that the result of the autopsy report is out.

“We are interested in the autopsy report and the prosecution has assured us that we would get it in four weeks, we need to consult some of our experts for analysis, of the test as we would need it during trial,” he added.

However, the prosecutor told the court that there is an interim autopsy report and that it will be made available to the defence.

Mr Kazeem said: ” The blood sample of the defendant will be collected by the State Government forensic lab.”

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that the matter for the day was an arraignment of the defendant, and the defence counsel confirmed that they received the proof of evidence on April 30.

Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, ordered that the defendant should be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till October 8 for trial to commence

On May 8, a Yaba Chief Magistrates was informed that the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, indicated that the Dutchman has a case to answer.

NAN