An Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday sentenced a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Abednego Ajibola, to death for killing his colleague over scuffle on loading arrangement.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found Ajibola, 40, guilty of the one-count charge of murder of fellow union member, Ojo Ogunsakin, on 10th March, 2017 at Akure Motor Park along Ikere Road, Ado Ekiti.
The judge held that ingredients of the offence of murder has been established against the convict who, he said, committed an offence contrary to Section 316 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.
According to his confessional statement made to the Police, Ajibola said a disagreement ensued between him and deceased on loading arrangement on the said date.
The convict, in his statement, said he was slapped by the deceased which provoked him to retaliate in the heat of the melee.
Ajibola in his testimony said he hit the deceased with a stone which led to his death as confirmed by other witnesses.
To prove the case of murder, prosecution counsel, Mr Gbemiga
Other witnesses who testified against the convict are the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Ogunsakin and Dr. J.A. Omotayo of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), who conducted the post mortem on the body of the deceased.
Defence counsel, Mr Kayode Oyeyemi, called two witnesses and the accused person in defence of the convict.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Ogunmoye ruled: “The ingredients of the offence of murder had been established against the accused person and he is convicted accordingly.
“The accused person is hereby sentenced to death by hanging on the neck till he be dead. May the Almighty God have mercy on your soul.“
