From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Justice Adedapo Adeniji of an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife has sentenced a herb seller, Jelili Kareem; an Okada rider, Oludayo Oludele; and an electrician, Awodeji Muyiwa, to death for killing a corps member, Adebayo Mukaila.
The convicts were arraigned on 8 October 2020 on charges of conspiracy, robbery, murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.
They were arraigned alongside a vulcaniser, Anifowose Buliaminu, who allegedly bought stolen recharge cards from the convicts.
The prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice, led by Muyiwa Ogunleye, called four witnesses, including the deceased’s 10-year-old daughter, who witnessed her father’s murder; a family member; a pathologist; and an investigative police officer.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 316, 319, and 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State, 2002, and Section 27 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, LFN 2004.
Counsel to the convicts, Shina Olaniyan, Legal Aid Counsel, Folashade Ipede, and Suleiman Akano, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish the case of murder, conspiracy to wit armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms against the convicts.
Justice Adeniji ruled that the prosecution had proven the cases against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
He sentenced them to death for the offences and discharged Buliaminu, who was accused of receiving stolen goods.
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