A High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Wednesday, remanded a 37-year-old herbalist, Bamidele Mayowa, over the alleged murder and dismembered corpse of a mother of two, Mercy Ekienabor, 35.

Three others accomplices including a woman, Oluwakemi Azeez, 21, Oyedegun Adewale, 28, and Jejelaye Olusola, 23, were remanded to a correctional centre in the state.

They were remanded after being arraigned before Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay on three counts bordering on murder, misconduct with regard to corpse and accessory after the facts of the murder, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

During the arraignment of the defendants, the state prosecuting counsel, Titilayo Olanrewaju-Daud, told the court that they committed the offence on December 16, 2021.

She said the incident took place around 12pm at No 17, Ijedodo Road, in the Ijegun area of the state, adding that Mayowa allegedly killed Ekienabore by giving her a noxious substance and dismembering her corpse.

The prosecutor also said around 3pm on the same day and at the same address, the first defendant dismembered the deceased’s corpse.

According to Olanrewaju-Daud, the second to fourth defendants on December 18, 2021, allegedly buried the butchered remains of the late Ekienabor in a hole at the premises where she was killed,

She said the offences committed contravened Sections 222, 165, and 231 and were punishable under Sections 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them and were remanded in prison custody.

Mr I.O. Bashua announced his appearance for the first defendant, while Mr F.I. Dennis appeared for the second to fourth defendants.

Justice Nicol-Clay adjourned the case till June 27 and 28, 2023, for the commencement of trial.