Crimes

Court sentences man to death by hanging for killing Ekiti monarch

An Ado Ekiti High Court, on Thursday, sentenced 42-year-old man, Ademola Omoniyi, to death by hanging for killing a traditional ruler.

Delivering judgment, Justice Olukayode Ogundana dispelled the notion that the convict was insane.

The judge said: “This court sentences Ademola Omoniyi to death and shall be hanged until his last.

“May the good Lord have mercy upon your soul.”

The convict was arraigned one count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, laws of Ekiti 2012.

Omoniyi on August 20, 2018 at Odo Oro Ekiti in Ikole Ekiti Judicial Division, murdered Oba Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

One of the chiefs, who testified before the court, said: “We were at the palace on that day for Onise in Council meeting, at about 7 a.m., before the meeting began, Omoniyi entered the palace and sat on Kabiyesi’s seat but the chiefs frowned at his action and drove him away.

“After the meeting, late Onise in company of his male clerk were attacked while walking back to the main palace.

“After stabbing the victim with a knife, Omoniyi, started parading himself as the king of the town.”

To prove his case, the state counsel, Adegboyega Morakinyo, called five witnesses and tendered a medical report, statements of the convict and knife as exhibits.

The convict spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Tope Salami, and called no witness.

The Star