Appeal Court Affirms Death Penalty For Danish National Convicted Of Murdering Wife And Daughter

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of Danish national Peter Nielsen, affirming his death sentence for the murder of his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and their daughter, Petra Nielsen.

The appellate court upheld the trial court’s conviction, finding no merit in Nielsen’s appeal. During the proceedings, Mr. Adebayo Haroun, representing the respondent, and Mr. A.D. Taiwo Nsirim, representing the appellant, presented their arguments.

In its judgment, the Appeal Court ruled that the prosecution, represented by the Lagos State government, had proven the charge of murder against Nielsen beyond reasonable doubt. The court stated, “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, resulting from the #EndSARS attack on the court, do not affect the defense of the appellant, as he had ample opportunity to examine the evidence before the attack. The findings of the forensic examiner corroborate the evidence of the children.”

Nielsen was originally convicted by Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.) of the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square on May 20, 2022. Justice Okikiolu-Ighile found that Nielsen smothered Zainab and Petra to death, concluding, “He was the one who killed Zainab and Petra Nielsen. Zainab had already predicted her death when she told their driver and stepfather, Chris Madaki, that this man would kill her.”

The judge also noted testimony from a witness who saw Nielsen beating Zainab and hitting her head on the floor early in the morning of April 5, 2018, which corroborated the forensic evidence presented in court.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile declared, “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. I hereby pronounce that you, Peter Nielsen, shall be hanged by the neck till death. May God have mercy on you.”

Nielsen was arraigned on June 13, 2018, on two counts of murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Lagos State Government accused Nielsen of smothering his wife and daughter at their home in Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented nine witnesses, while the defense also called nine witnesses, including Nielsen himself. The case attracted significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the brutal circumstances of the murders.

Dissatisfied with the trial court’s judgment, Nielsen sought to challenge his conviction in the Court of Appeal. However, the appellate court found that the evidence presented at trial, including DNA analysis and witness testimonies, sufficiently proved Nielsen’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeal’s decision underscores the thoroughness of the legal process and reaffirms the seriousness with which the Nigerian judiciary approaches cases of domestic violence and murder.