Ondo Tragedy: Grandson Rapes, Strangles Grandmother to Death Over Witchcraft Allegation

A 25-year-old carpenter, Ahmed Toheed, has been remanded by a magistrate court in Ondo State for allegedly raping and killing his 64-year-old grandmother, Mulikat Sanni, after accusing her of witchcraft.

The horrifying incident reportedly occurred around 10 p.m. on September 29, 2025, at Onisere Street in Ore, within the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

According to police prosecutor Augustine Omhenimhen, the suspect accused his grandmother of being responsible for his misfortunes through witchcraft before he allegedly strangled and raped her.

The charge sheet reads: “That you, Ahmed Toheed ‘m’, on September 29, 2025, at about 10 p.m., did unlawfully strangle one Mulikat Sanni ‘f’, aged 64 years, to death, and did unlawfully have carnal knowledge of her,” contrary to Sections 319 and 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Given the capital nature of the offences, the court did not take Toheed’s plea. The prosecutor requested his remand pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Defence counsel Benjamin Adeyanju sought an adjournment to file a counter-affidavit.

Presiding Magistrate Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi ordered that the defendant be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and adjourned the case until October 13, 2025, for further hearing.

The disturbing case has sparked outrage among residents, with many calling for justice and renewed efforts to address violent crimes linked to witchcraft accusations across Nigeria.