The police in Enugu State have charged 46-year-old Livinus Okoh with the murder of his wife, Onyinyechi, at Amuri, Nkanu West LGA of the state.
This was even as the Enugu State Government had condemned the alleged killing in strong terms, assuring that it would do all in its power to ensure justice.
Okoh was arraigned before Magistrate Uche Jideofor, Court 3 of Enugu East, Enugu Magisterial District.
In the case, Commissioner of Police vs. Livinus Aniegbunam Okoh, marked CME/821C/2025 and with C.O. Ugwu Esq. and A.C. Amalu Esq. as Prosecutors, the Police accused Okoh of killing Onyinye by hitting her with an axe on October 8, 2025.
“That you, Livinus Aniegbunam Okoh ‘m’, on the 8th day of October, 2025, at about 0400 hours at Umuedum Amuri in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did unlawfully kill one Onyinye Okoh ‘f’, aged 46 years, by hitting her with an axe on her lower jaw, which led to her death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria,” the charge read.
However, the accused is yet to take a plea.
The Magistrate thereafter ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant bail to the accused and remanded him to the correctional centre. The Magistrate also ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Enugu State Ministry of Justice and adjourned the matter to December 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, in Enugu, expressed its serious displeasure over the killing, describing it as “a grave reminder of the persistent and unacceptable menace of Gender-Based Violence in our society.”
Continuing, she said, “We call on the judiciary and all relevant authorities to ensure that justice is swiftly served in accordance with the law.
“Violence against women, in any form, is a gross violation of human rights and is contrary to the values of equality, respect, and dignity that we uphold as a people. The ministry restates the zero-tolerance stance of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration on domestic violence and will continue to advocate for social protection for women and girls across the state.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and assure them that the government stands with them in this difficult time. We also urge community members to continue to speak out and report all forms of violence and abuse. Silence only protects the perpetrators.
“The government reaffirms its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and civil society organisations to ensure that justice prevails and that such tragic incidents are prevented in the future.”
