A 29-year-old man, Adedayo Olawole, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, for the murder of Chukwudi Joseph. Olawole was first arraigned on March 29, 2023, on charges of conspiracy and murder.
On Monday, the court also sentenced Olawole to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine for his role in the conspiracy to murder Joseph. The charges stated that Olawole and others at large conspired to murder Chukwudi Joseph at Eporo in Emure Ekiti. These offenses are contrary to Sections 244 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, Nigeria, 2021.
An eyewitness, who is also the cousin of the deceased, testified that Olawole and other assailants hit Joseph with planks before one of the group stabbed him to death. The cousin recounted seeing a gang member stab Joseph in the left side of his chest, resulting in his death before help could arrive.
The prosecutor, Ibironke Odetola, presented six witnesses and submitted the defendant’s statements, pictures of the deceased, and other supporting documents as evidence. In his defense, Olawole, through his lawyer M.A. Daramola, called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Jubril Aladejana noted that the assault with planks followed by the stabbing demonstrated an intent to kill. He concluded that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Olawole and others conspired to commit murder on December 10, 2021, in Eporo Ekiti.
The judge ruled, “On count one (Conspiracy), the defendant is sentenced to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. On count two (Murder), the sentence of this court upon Adedayo Olawole is that you shall be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”