Peter Nielsen, a 53-year-old Dane, has been remanded at Ikoyi Prison, Lagos, after he was arraigned for allegedly killing his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and their three-year-old daughter, Petra.

The late Zainab is also a musician, known popularly by her stage name, Alizee.

K.B. Ayeye, a Magistrate in charge of Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, gave the ruling on Wednesday, after Nielsen pleaded not guilty to the two-count murder charge brought against him.

Ayeye said the accused person must remain in prison pending further directive from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Effiong Asuquo, a Chief Superintendent of Police and the prosecutor in the case, told the court that Nielsen murdered his wife and daughter at their residence, Block 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, on  April 5.

“The accused who was always at loggerheads with his wife, had hit her head against the wall several times, leading to her death. He also proceeded to poison his daughter.

“He had dragged their lifeless bodies under the gas to create the impression that they suffocated to death as a result of a gas leakage,”Asuquo said.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which prescribes death sentence for offenders.

The case was adjourned till May 8 for continuation of hearing.

A preliminary investigative report released by the police stated that the crime was reported by one Kunle Kukoyi who said he was informed by Gift Madaki, sister to the deceased Zainab, that her sister was being beaten by her husband.

A team of crime scene detectives were immediately dispatched sent to the location alongside medics from Britannia hospital in Lekki Phase One.

“The team got to Flat 17, Block 4 apartment of the Nielsens, where they saw two bodies identified as the deceased and her child,” the police report read.

“The doctor and his team inspected the bodies and confirmed them dead.

“Preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the violence that consumed the deceased persons started in the couple’s bedroom but the bodies were dragged to the kitchen.

“On closer examination, visible marks of violence were seen on the bodies. The corpses were photographed and evacuated to Lagos Island General Hospital for autopsy.”