Mr. Joseph, a timber merchant and father, was arrested by police operatives for setting five of his step- children up at Fagun Crescent area of Ondo State.
The suspect claimed that his wife had been denying him sex for months. The suspect’s wife only gave birth to twins after her first failed marriage, which produced five children.
The 18-month-old twins and their mother, who was also in the room, only sustained minor injuries. The suspect attributed his actions to a family spell. He blamed his action on a spell. “I realized my mistake and it wasn’t intentional. I regret what I did to my wife.” He said.
Ojo is accused of pouring petrol in the room and lighting the children up. Mr Ojo said he had been having issues with his wife since they started living together as a couple. He accused Esther of not taking adequate care of him despite being the head of the family.
“I am 64 years old. Four wives have been married to me. I have 10 children. She doesn’t give me food if I give her money. She doesn’t wash my clothes. She always curses at me. We’ve been together for two years. She and her children used to be like that. I set the children ablaze. We don’t use to argue over sex. “ Mr Joseph said
The children and their mother were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo for treatment of burns. She said that three of the five children who were set ablaze by the suspect have died.
