In a court ruling on Tuesday, an Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, Osun State, sentenced three men to death by hanging for the murder of a corps member, Mukaila Adebayo, during a robbery in Osogbo, the state capital.
The convicted individuals are Jelili Kareem, a herbs seller; Oludayo Oludele, a commercial motorcyclist; and Muyiwa Awodeji, an electrician.
The incident occurred on January 28, 2020, in the Omo West Area of Osogbo, where the trio allegedly conspired to rob Adebayo of his mobile phone, recharge cards, and other valuables, subsequently killing him. These actions were deemed violations under Sections 316, 319, and 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
Initially pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder when first arraigned on October 8, 2020, the defendants stood trial throughout the subsequent hearings. Buliaminu Anifowose, a vulcaniser accused of purchasing stolen recharge cards from the robbery, was also arraigned alongside them but was later discharged.
During the trial, the prosecution, represented by Mr. Muyiwa Ogunleye from the Ministry of Justice, presented compelling evidence, including testimony from Adebayo’s daughter, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, the Investigative Police Officer, and a sibling of the deceased.
Despite defense claims of insufficient proof, Justice Adedapo Adeniji found the prosecution’s case convincing beyond reasonable doubt.
Consequently, Justice Adeniji pronounced Kareem, Oludele, and Awodeji guilty of murder and armed robbery, sentencing them to death by hanging.
