Justice Jide Falola of Osun State High Court in the Ikirun Judicial Division has sentenced two men to death by hanging after being found guilty of murder.
The three accused persons, Orisakunle Abiodun (21), Opadokun Olayinka (29) and Femi Aroyehun (24) were arraigned on the 22nd January, 2018 on a two count charge.
Charges preferred against them are Conspiracy to commit murder contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State and Murder contrary to Section 316 (1) and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the same Criminal Code Law of Osun State.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
The prosecution Counsel from Ministry of Justice, Barrister Philips Afolayan called three (3) witnesses to proof his case; Oladipupo Damilare, Sargent Aina Clement and Sergent Josephine Erokpo.
The deceased, Adeoye Matthew was returning from work alongside his friend, Oladipupo Damilare, on 9th March, 2017. While walking along the road around Babjo Secondary School, Idi- Iroko Area, Ikirun.
Orisakunle Abiodun brushed the deceased with a motorcycle he was riding and an argument ensued between them and the two friends.
In the process, some young men popularly known as Olowoaiye Boys in the area intervened and took sides with the Orisakunle Abiodun after some further altercation between the two sides, the Orisakunle and his supporters chased the two friends who eventually fled in different directions.
The mob eventually caught up with the deceased and lynched him, inflicting grievous wounds on his head and left him half dead.
Nearby residents reported the attack to the police who came to the scene and evacuated the victim to Araromi Hospital, Ikirun where he later died on the same day.
Barrister Afolayan also tendered the extra-judicial statements of the nominal complainants as well as those of the three accused persons in evidence.
The accused persons entered their defence and each gave evidence for himself without calling any witness.
In his judgement Justice Falola says Prosecution Counsel has proofed his case beyond reasonable doubt hereby found Orisakunle Abiodun and Opadokun Olayinka guilty of two counts preferred against them.
While Femi Aroyehun stands on acquitted on two counts preferred against him.
Meanwhile Counsel to the convicts L. S. Bello, Esq. pleaded to the Court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Falola hereby sentenced them accordingly to five years imprisonment for Conspiracy and Death by hanging for murder.
opeyemi BELLO
Information Officer,
Ministry of Justice.
