For killing a wedding guest, an Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced an ex-policeman, Tizhe Goji, to 10-year imprisonment.
The 38-year-old Goji, was on 29/07/21 charged and arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on one count charge bordering on manslaughter.
The charge reads: “that the defendant on 21/11/2021 at Queens Court Hotel, Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did murder one Abayomi Olaoye, contrary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
One of the eye witnesses, Bukola Omorinkoba, said in her statement to the Police, that, “I came with other members of our family including the deceased for a wedding ceremony at Ise Ekiti, we lodged at Queens Court Hotel, Ado Ekiti.
“Around 9:00pm, we were relaxing at the hotels’ reception, we saw the defendant alongside other police officers drove in a Toyota Hilux Van, immediately they opened the vehicle’s door, he opened fire on us, the bullet hit the deceased and Adebayo Ilori, they were rushed to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, they were later referred to ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, Ado Ekiti, where Abayomi Olaoye was confirmed dead.”
The prosecutor, Abigail Aladejare, called four witnesses and tendered defendants’ statements and medical reports as exhibits to proof his case.
The defendant who called one witness in his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, said, “I used the rifle to abort a robbery operation the previous day but forgot to prove and close the rifle’s chamber. I was at Queens Court Hotel to celebrate my promotion for my colleagues. On opening the vehicle’s door, the rifle discharged accidentally. I didn’t do it intentionally.”
Justice Familoni in his ruling said, “I hold that the prosecution has proved the offence of manslaughter against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
“The penalty for this infraction of the law is grave, it is life imprisonment. I will, however, be lenient by not imposing the maximum punishment. The defendant is hereby convicted for the offence of manslaughter, contrary to Section 317 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti State, 2012.
“Consequently, the defendant is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence is to run from the date of his arrest and detention,’’ the judge ruled.
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