An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 26-year-old man in a correctional facility for beheading and drinking the blood of a two-year-old boy, Onyedikachi Nwali.

The suspect, one Christian Nweke, was said to have committed the gruesome act while the mother of the deceased went to fetch water from the stream.

The suspect, a barber in Onitsha, Anambra State, reportedly confessed to the crime. He was allegedly suffering from chest pains, until he was brought to the Church of Christ Mission, Ugbaenyim Ezza, Umuhuali community, in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where the boy and his parents were seeking spiritual help.

Asked if he was a ritualist or sent to kill and suck the blood of the boy for money rituals, the suspect said,

“No. I’m not a ritualist. Nobody sent me to kill anybody. But I noticed that since the prophetess of this prayer ministry prayed for me, a lot of things have changed and I no longer reason right.”

It was alleged that the suspect committed the crime on December 13, 2019, at the premises of the Church of Christ Mission, Ugbaenyim Ezza.

He was, on Friday, arraigned before the magistrates’ court on one count of murder.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Sebastine Alumona, said the offence was punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

The defence counsel applied to the court that his client be admitted to bail as he would not interfere with lawful investigation into the matter.

Alumona, however, opposed the bail application and told the court that the suspect would jump bail and interfere with investigation into the matter.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail on such cases.

She directed that the accused be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while his case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for advice.

She adjourned the matter till January 17, 2020, for the report of compliance.