Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
A High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, sentenced a man, Dele Ojo, 26, to death by hanging for killing a farmer.
Justice Abiodun Adesodun in his pronouncement said, “The circumstances of the case do not allow for recommendation of clemency to the governor on behalf of the accused, therefore, the Defendant was sentenced to death by hanging.
“May the Lord have mercy upon his soul.
“The offence was committed on or about 13th of September, 2018 at Iroko Ekiti in Ijero LGA of Ekiti State when he murdered one Ajayi Adewole, contrary to Sec.319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
An eyewitness, who was with the deceased said, “The accused has been stealing yam in the farm of the deceased for a long time but on the fateful day, they went to hid in the farm in order to arrest the culprit, at about 2:00a.m, they saw the accused carrying hunting lamp on his head, pretending to be hunting and started uprooting yam, the deceased shouted his name in order to escape arrest he shot the deceased at close range and ran away, though, the victim was rushed to Ijero-Ekiti Specialist Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
To proof his case, the Prosecutor, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, called four witnesses, I.P.O and a medical doctor while exhibits tendered were a Dane gun, photographs of the deceased, five tubers of yam, accused confessional statements among other documents.
The accused testified in his own defence through his lawyer Mr. Yinka Oyeleke and called no witness.
