Police arraign woman who killed three- year-old for vomiting

A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has
been arraigned before an Ebute Meta
Magistrate's Court, Lagos State, for allegedly
killing her husband's niece, Deborah Bassey.
PUNCH Metro had reported on August 2, that
the defendant allegedly beat up the
deceased for vomiting and defecating on
herself.
Police sources had said young Deborah,
who lost her mother in 2010, had been sent
by her father to stay with his brother.
On the said date, Deborah was said to have
woken up with a high temperature and
started vomiting.
This was said to have angered the
defendant, who reportedly beat her up
instead of administering medical treatment.
It was reported that the victim started to
bleed from the head before some
neighbours rushed her to Ahmadiyya
Hospital, where she was referred to Orile
Agege General Hospital. She died at the
hospital.
The incident occurred at Powerline Street,
Ijaiye Ojokoro area of Lagos State.
Rebecca was subsequently arrested and
charged with murder.
The police told the court on Tuesday that
Rebecca killed the three-year-old by hitting
her head on an iron chair.
The one count murder charge read, "That
you, Rebecca Bassey, f, on the July 22, 2013
at about 0600hrs, at No 158, Powerline
Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, in the Lagos
Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one
Deborah Uduak Bassey, f, aged 3 years, by
hitting her head on an iron chair and
thereby committed an offence punishable
under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of
Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011."
The police added that the accused made
confessional statement, and although
investigation was still on, there was finger
print evidence to nail the accused.
Her plea was not taken.
The prosecutor, Inspector Frank Inah, filed
application for the remand of the defendant
pending the advice from the Director of
Public Prosecution.
Counsel for the defendant, Mr. Olabisi
Kolawole, urged the court to grant bail to
the defendant.
He said, "The charge does not represent the
true facts of the case. The scripture says
spare the rod and spoil the child. It was a
mere spank that led to the death of the
deceased. She has been taking care of this
child for a very long time."
The magistrate, Mr. O.A Komolafe, however,
remanded the defendant in prison pending
the DPP's advice.
The matter was adjourned till October 2.