An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Friday, sentenced three out of four persons accused of killing Olufunke Olakunri, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, to death by hanging.
The convicts are Lawal Mazaje from Kogi State; Adamu Adamu from Adamawa State; Mohammed Usman from Sokoto State.
The fourth defendant, Auwalu Abubakar from Zamfara State was, however, discharged and acquitted.
The convits were part of eight-man gang bandits who ambushed the vehicle of late Mrs Olakunri on July 12, 2019 along the Ore-Kajola highway and opened fire on her, resulting in her death.
Before they were convicted, the accused persons were brought before the court and charged with armed robbery, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, aiding and abetting.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide, held in his judgment that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Olamide, therefore, sentenced the three defendants to death by hanging.
Olamide said, “That you, Mohammed Shehu, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu and others now at large on or before July 12, 2019, about 9 am, at Tollgate, along Ore/ljebu Ode Expressway, within the jurisdiction of this court, did murder one Ogunbiyi Matthew, aged 65 years, contrary to and punishable under Section 316 of the Criminal code, Cap36, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you Mohammed Shehu, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu, and others now at large on or before July 12, 2019, did kidnap one Gerald Igboayaka, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(ii) (b) of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.
“Conspiracy to commit armed robbery contrary to and punishable under Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004. For Armed robbery, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2) (a) & (b) of the Robbery and Firearms {Special Provisions) Act, Cop R11, Vol, 14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
He held that the defendants also committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
While expressing satisfaction with the judgement, the prosecution counsel and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Charles Titiloye said, “the court has found three of the defendants guilty, it has become very clear that the three persons conspired to commit armed robbery, murder and killing of the lady and a hunter who was in the bush when they were trying to take away those in the vehicle that was conveying Mrs Olakunri.
“There was a thorough investigation that spanned through three different states of the federation, Edo, Lagos and Ondo. Cogent evidence was given by the person who was in the forest with them for seven days, particularly, the driver of the deceased who was kidnapped for seven days.”
But the Counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Obafemi Bawa, said he will study the judgement and possibly appeal it.
He said, “You could see that one of the defendants was discharged by the judgement of the court. We are going to take a critical look at it, look at areas where an appeal can be formulated.”
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