AUGUSTINE UGBOGBO V. THE STATE

ABBA AJI, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On 26/1/2012, the appellant, the husband to the deceased, Anna Ugbogbo, who lived with her at Railway Line, Otto, Ebute Metta, Lagos, had an altercation with her because he tasted kerosene in the food she had served him and, in rage, threw a burning stove at the deceased. This act set the deceased on fire and caused her grievous bodily harm, causing 45% injurious burns. The deceased was taken to a hospital at Oyingbo by the neighbors and later transferred to General Hospital, Lagos, where she died on 6/2/2012. While in the hospital, the deceased told her aunt, Olushola Modeme, that the appellant had thrown a burning stove at her. The deceased also made a statement to the police, reiterating this fact. After the appellant's arrest and being taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, he made statements admitting only to pushing his wife with force in the course of an argument, consequent to which sh…