The Lagos Appeal Court has affirmed the death sentence of Peter Nielsen, a Danish national, who was convicted of murdering his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and their daughter, Petra.

In a judgment delivered on May 20, 2022, Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile (retired) of the Lagos State High Court sentenced Nielsen to death by hanging. The court found him guilty of smothering Zainab and Petra on April 5, 2018, at their residence in Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi. The Lagos State Government charged Nielsen with two counts of murder.

Dissatisfied with the conviction, Nielsen appealed to the Lagos Appeal Court, seeking to overturn the judgment. However, on July 19, the appellate court dismissed his appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proven the murder charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The court upheld the initial conviction and sentencing, emphasizing the strength of the evidence presented.

This ruling reinforces the commitment of the Lagos State judicial system to ensuring justice is served, particularly in cases of domestic violence and murder. The tragic deaths of Zainab and Petra highlight the severe consequences of such crimes and the importance of upholding the rule of law.

As the legal proceedings come to a close, this case serves as a stark reminder of the justice system’s role in protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

“The corroborative evidence of DNA also strengthened the circumstantial evidence against the appellant. There was no proof of breaking into the apartment as suggested by the appellant. The missing exhibits as a result of the #EndSARS attack on the court do not affect the defence of the appellant as he had ample opportunity before the attack on the court. The findings of the forensic examiner corroborate the evidence of the children.”

“This is one of the cases of domestic violence. The DNA analysis of nail scraping brought out the assailant of Zainab. Zainab tried so much to defend herself. The evidence shows that Peter Nielsen killed his wife and daughter. There is evidence before the court that there is a fight between Peter Nielsen and his wife,” Justice Okikiolu-Ighile held

“The act of Nielsen shows that he suffocated his wife and daughter. Nielsen has always domestically abused his wife which was shown in the police extract from the Ikoyi Police Station. She didn’t know that her marriage to the convict was void abi nitio because Peter was already married in Denmark.”the judge ruled