29-year-old man sentenced to death by hanging in Ekiti

The Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced a 29-year-old man identified as Adedayo Olawole to death by hanging for the murder of one Chukwudi Joseph.

Naija News learned that Adedayo was first arrested on March 29, 2023, on two counts bordering on conspiracy and murder.

The court on Monday also sentenced Adedayo to seven years imprisonment without possibility of fine for conspiracy to murder the deceased.

The prosecution said, “Adedayo Olawole and others currently at large in Eporo, Emure Ekiti, conspired to murder one Chukwudi Joseph.

“These offenses are contrary to sections 244 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2021.”

One of the eyewitnesses, a cousin of the deceased, told the court that the accused, alongside other boys, hit the deceased with boards before one of the gang members stabbed him to death.

The cousin of the deceased said he saw a member of the accused's gang stab Chukwudi on the left side of his chest, and he died before some people could arrive at the spot to rescue them.

The prosecutor, Ibironke Odetola, called six witnesses and presented as exhibits the statements of the accused, photos of the deceased and other supporting documents.

The accused took the stand in his defense through his lawyer, MA Daramola, and called a witness.

In the judgment, Justice Jubril Aladejana said the fact of assaulting the deceased with planks before being stabbed in the left side of the chest showed that the attackers intended to kill him.

The judge, who said the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused and others at large conspired to commit the crime of murder in Eporo Ekiti on December 10, 2021, said: “ Therefore, the only issue to be decided is resolved in favor. of the accusation.

The judge said: “For the first count (conspiracy), the accused is sentenced to seven years of imprisonment without the possibility of a fine;

“On the second charge (Murder), the sentence of this court against Adedayo Olawole is that you will be hanged by the neck until you die, may God have mercy on your soul.”