Ekiti court sentences 29-year-old man to death by hanging

The Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced Adedayo Olawole, 29, to death by hanging for the murder of one Chukwudi Joseph.

The court on Monday also sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment for conspiracy to murder the deceased.

He was arraigned on March 29, 2023, on two counts bordering on conspiracy and murder.

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, stated in his testimony in court that he saw the accused and some other boys hitting the deceased with boards and that later a member of the gang of the The accused stabbed him in the left side of the chest. he fell and died before some people could come to his aid.

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 assailants intended to cause him serious bodily harm. or his death.

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.

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

“On the second count (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,” the judge said.