The Lagos Division of the Appeal Court has upheld the death sentence for Danish national Peter Nielsen, who was convicted of murdering his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and their daughter, Petra. The court dismissed Nielsen’s appeal, finding it lacked merit.
On Friday, Mr. Adebayo Haroun and Jubril Kareem represented the respondent, Lagos State, while Mr. A.D. Taiwo Nsirim and Tochukwu Amaefule represented Nielsen. The court ruled that Lagos State proved the murder charge against Nielsen beyond reasonable doubt.
“The corroborative evidence of DNA also strengthened the circumstantial evidence against the appellant,” the court stated. The court dismissed claims that someone else broke into the apartment and committed the crime. The ruling noted, “The missing exhibits from the #EndSARS attack do not affect the defense of the appellant.”
Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, who delivered the original verdict on May 20, 2022, convicted Nielsen of smothering Zainab and Petra to death. She emphasized, “He was the one who killed Zainab and Petra Nielsen. Zainab had already predicted her death, telling their driver and her stepfather that this man would kill her.”
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The judge cited eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence. A sixth prosecution witness (PW6) testified seeing Nielsen beating Zainab and hitting her head on the floor. This was corroborated by Professor John Obafunwa, a forensic expert.
“It is the judgment of the court that you, Peter Nielsen, are found guilty of the murder of Zainab and Petra Nielsen on April 5, 2018,” said Justice Okikiolu-Ighile. “I hereby pronounce that you, Peter Nielsen, shall be hanged by the neck till death. May God have mercy on you.”
The court found Nielsen guilty on two counts of murder, presented by Lagos State. The judge stated, “The evidence shows that Peter Nielsen killed his wife and daughter. The DNA analysis of nail scrapings identified the assailant as Nielsen.”
Testimonies revealed that Nielsen had a history of domestic abuse. Police records from Ikoyi Police Station supported this claim. Evidence showed Zainab fought back against her husband’s attack.
Witnesses heard Zainab calling for help and telling Nielsen to check her phone as he continued to assault her. “The act of Nielsen shows that he suffocated his wife and daughter,” the judge noted.
The defense argued that evidence, including Zainab’s nightgown, Petra’s jumpsuit, towel, and pants, should be dismissed due to their destruction during the #EndSARS protests. However, the court found that the defense had ample opportunity to examine these items before the protests.
Nielsen was arraigned on June 13, 2018, and pleaded not guilty. The Lagos State Government accused him of smothering Zainab and Petra at their Banana Island residence on April 5, 2018. During the trial, the prosecution presented nine witnesses, as did the defense, with Nielsen testifying as the ninth witness for his side.
Nielsen appealed the conviction, but the appellate court found no grounds to overturn the lower court’s ruling. The court’s decision marks a significant moment in the fight against domestic violence, affirming the importance of justice for victims.