“Going To Burn Me Alive” — Court Sentences Domestic Driver To 14 Years For Attempted Murder Of Employer’s Wife

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced one John Nsikak, a domestic driver, to 14 years imprisonment for attempting to murder his employer’s wife, Mrs. Anita Amorighoye.
Nsikak was accused of dousing Amorighoye with Premium Motor Spirit and attempting to set her ablaze.
Delivering judgment in charge No. ID/17689C/2021, Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay found the convict guilty of a six-count charge preferred against him by the Lagos State Government, including forcible entry, deprivation of liberty, assault, attempted arson, attempted murder, and wilful property damage.
The trial judge held that the convict, who had willingly entered into a plea bargain agreement with the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, demonstrated remorse for his actions and clearly understood the consequences of his guilty plea.
“This Court is satisfied, under Section 76(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2011, that the defendant willingly entered into the plea bargain agreement and understands the implication of pleading guilty,” the judge stated.
According to court records, the incident occurred on April 20, 2019, at about 4:00 p.m., at the complainant’s office located at No. 21B, Headlington Close, Ladogan Estate, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Nsikak, who was employed as a driver by Mrs Amorighoye and her husband, Mr Toju Amorighoye, reportedly stormed the office, concealed Premium Motor Spirit in a Ragolis water bottle, and poured it on the complainant to set her ablaze.
In her testimony, Amorighoye recounted the traumatic events thus: “He had earlier threatened to burn the generator after damaging my car. He was holding iron rods and made attempts to switch off the generator.
“He had carried out all his threats, so it was easy to believe he could go further,” she said.
“I was scared; we didn’t know what he would do.”
She added that the convict had previously been given accommodation by her husband, though she was unaware of the financial arrangements.
“I don’t know the details. My husband offered him accommodation. I am not aware of any promises to pay for it,” she testified.
On April 16, 2025, the defendant was re-arraigned on an amended charge dated June 10, 2024.
The charge was read to him, and he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The court subsequently adopted the Plea Bargain Agreement, which recommended a sentence of fourteen (14) years’ imprisonment.
Nsikak committed the offences on April 29, 2019, at No. 21b Headlington Close, Ladogan Estate, Lekki Phase 1, within Lagos.
The incident was triggered after Mrs Amorighoye conveyed an instruction from her husband asking the convict to stay off duty for a week.
According to the prosecution’s case, led by Mrs. Titilayo Olanrewaju-Daudu, the convict returned that same day, entered Mrs. Amorighoye’s office, locked the door behind him, poured PMS on her, and attempted to ignite a match.
Nsikak was arraigned on June 8, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Trial commenced on November 25, 2021, with the prosecution calling two witnesses and tendering one exhibit.