By Kazeem Bisiriyu
Lagos State Magistrate Court, Igbosere, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, directed that a 22-year old mother, Olufunmilola Adisa, accused of killing her 21-month old daughter, Oluwanifemi, by drowning her in a bucket of water be sent to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Psychiatric department for evaluation.
Delivering her ruling on the alleged murder case, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Dora Ojo, granted the application of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) representing the defendant, saying that based on section 217 (3) of Lagos State Administration of the Criminal of Justice Law of 2015, the defendant should be sent and remanded at the Teaching Hospital for the necessary psychiatric test in order to determine her state of mental health.
Speaking on the case, the Director, OPD, Dr. Babajide Martins said that the Office, acting in line with its statutory responsibility of providing free legal service for the indigent and vulnerable, took up the case to represent the accused and requested a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant in view of her alleged crime.
He said, “based on the recent ruling and the granting of our application, the Agency will ensure that she commences treatment as an out-patient at the hospital pending further arraignment before the Law Court.”
According to him, “Although, the case has been adjourned to the 26th of June, 2020 for the outcome of the Psychiatric examination to be conducted on the defendant, the OPD would do everything within the legal framework to defend the accused in line with the mandate of the Agency”.
The Director, therefore, urged members of the public not to cast judgement on anyone until the person is convicted by the Court, stressing that the Office is still operating within the directive of the State government that rights of the vulnerable are well taken care of, irrespective of their socio-economic background or crime committed.
Recall that the defendant was, on the 11th of May, 2020, arrested after being alleged to have killed her 21 month-old daughter, Oluwanifemi by drowning her in a bucket of water at their residence in Gowon Estate, Alimosho Local Government Area of the State.