Housewife, 29, to spend 7 years in prison for killing husband over lotto tickets

A Lagos State High court has sentenced a 29-year old housewife, Onyinyechi Akunne, to seven years in prison for stabbing her husband, Abuchi Akunne, with a kitchen knife during an argument over Premier Lotto tickets also known as ‘Baba Ijebu.’

Justice Josephine Oyefeso pronounced the sentence on Akunne following a plea bargain agreement where the initial one – count charge of murder was commuted to a charge of grievous bodily harm which she plead guilty to.

The judge also rejected a clause in the plea bargain agreement where it was proposed that the housewife should serve a sentence of community service instead of a prison term.

“In view of the defendant’s pleading guilty, I hereby find her guilty of one – count charge of grievous bodily harm.

“I hereby sentence her to seven years in prison starting from the day in which she was in prison custody which was March 28, 2015,” Oyefeso pronounced.

Prior to the sentencing, Akunne’s counsel, Mrs. P.O. Onu, in her plea for mercy, told the court to temper justice with mercy.

“She is a first time offender, she is a mother to a to a year and seven months old child, which she birthed while in prison custody, she still had a lot to offer to the society,” Onu said.

The Judge ordered that the convict’s daughter be removed from the female prison and be kept in the custody of relatives, immediately after she is weaned, .

According to the state prosecutor, Mrs. C.K. Tuiyi-Carena, the accused allegedly committed the offence on March 28, 2015 at her residence located at No. 85, Idimu Road, Ejigbo, Lagos.

“On the day of the alleged murder, Onyinyechi was preparing a meal while Abuchi was sitting on a chair in their home looking at his ‘Baba Ijebu’ lottery tickets.

“Angered by her husband’s action, Onyinyechi scolded him for his love for gambling and a fight ensued between them.

“She took the kitchen knife she was using to cut vegetables and stabbed her husband fatally in the chest.

“The stabbing inflicted a deep cut in Abuchi’s chest which led to excessive blood loss and his eventual death.

“The victim died before he could be taken to hospital by Onyinyechi and concerned neighbours,” she said.