A woman was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State capital for allegedly murdering her tenant.

Cecilia Idowu (55), was reported to have murdered 26-year-old Stephen Haruna at her home on Oke-Igbala Street, Akoko North West Local Govt, Ondo State.

The accused was brought before the court on two counts of conspiracy and murder after the body was discovered in a small well within the compound of the house.

She entered a not-guilty plea.

Simon Wada, the police prosecutor, claimed that Cecilia conspired to commit the crime with people still at large.

He also told the court that Cecilia gave Stephen palm oil to drink in the middle of the night, which led to Stephen’s death.

The prosecutor further said after the act, the accused woman asked other people, now at large, to help her toss Stephen’s body into the well.

Wada told the court: "My Lord, the woman and the deceased were the only occupants of the house and she confessed to seeing him when he returned home by 10:00 pm.

"A calabash filled with palm oil was found in the woman’s apartment," Wada told the court.

The authorities, however, said they had not yet determined the reason for Stephen’s murder.

Wada said the offense violated Sections 516 and 316 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2022 because an autopsy result showed the tenant died after taking too much palm oil.

The defense counsel, Adedire, requested an adjournment from the court so that he could file a counter-affidavit to the prosecutor’s application while the prosecutor asked the court to remand the accused to the Olokuta Correctional Centre in Akure while awaiting the insurance of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunnus, however, adjourned the case to rule on the remand motion.