If the dead can speak, late Emmanuel Jacob, aged 18, would have been able to tell the actual cause of the fight between him and his friend that resulted in his death at Dejioworo Street, Alapere, Lagos.
Reports said on May 18, at about 9 p.m., a fight ensued between the deceased and one Benedict Ogheneorvo, over initiation into Eiye cult group.
Benedict, a tricycle driver, was said to have stabbed Emmanuel, which ultimately led to his death.
The 22-year-old suspect, who claimed he lives with his elder brother and hails from Delta State, told Vanguard: "On Monday, on my way from work, I saw my friend, Emma.
While we were exchanging greetings, he told me he wanted to drink, but I told him I did not have money to buy drinks because my tricycle was faulty, so I could not work.
I told him if he has money, I would follow him.
"We went to a nearby joint in our street. He bought a bottle of beer for me and also took same.
While we were drinking and discussing, Emmanuel brought up an issue he has been disturbing me about for some time.
It is about joining Eiye cult group. I turned him down as I have always done.
"My refusal to be initiated has always caused a rift between me and Emmanuel.
While we were still discussing and, maybe as a result of the drink he had taken, he pushed me, I also pushed him and we started fighting.
"People thought we were joking because they know we are friends.
When Emmanuel discovered his strength could not match mine, he picked an iron and attempted to stab me.
"I collected the iron from him and stabbed him with it in the neck.
He fell and I rushed to him to three different hospitals, but he was rejected. He gave up and the police came and arrested me."
He wanted to initiate my son— VICTIM's MOTHER
The 40-year-old mother of the deceased, who gave her name as Mary Jacob, debunked Benedict's claim.
She alleged that her son had always told her about Benedict's efforts to lure him into the Eiye cult group.
She even alleged that the matter was brought before her pastor who discouraged Emmanuel from such act and advised him to stay away from such friends.
She maintained her son was never a cultist.
She said: "I was not there, but an eyewitness told me that Benedict asked Emmanuel to follow him to a place where they drink.
Emma did and when he tried to leave because it was getting late, Benedict would not let him.
"He tried to collect my son's cap but my son refused to let go. Benedict started beating my son.
He picked an iron and stabbed Emma with it.
I feel it is an intentional act and Benedict should be punished accordingly.
"Since he killed my son, he should also face the consequence of his actions."
Vanguard gathered that the case, which was reported at the Alapere Police Division, is currently being investigated at the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba.
Source: Vanguard
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