Court sentences man to death by hanging for killing his brother in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 42-year-old man, Arowolo Sunday, to death by hanging for the murder of his half-brother.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on November 5, 2021, on one count of murder. 

According to the charge, the defendant, on April 9, 2021, at Ikogosi, within the jurisdiction of the court, murdered Arowolo Dare.

According to the charge, the offence contravenes Section 391 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In his statement to the police, the 15-year-old son of the deceased said: “I went to the farm with my father. On our way back, I was trekking in front of my father’s motorcycle to avoid a bad portion of the road. I waited for my father to climb on the motorcycle. Suddenly, my father’s brother, Mr Arowolo, appeared from the bush with an already set big iron trap. He trapped my father on his arm and fell. He used a small wooden pestle to hit my father on his head and chest, and he left him in a pool of blood. I tried to release the trap but it was too strong for me. Sunday Arowolo reappeared with a stick to hit me. He was chasing me but he fell. I ran to the nearby villagers for help. They told me they could not dare ‘Sunday’. I went to town to inform our families. They came with a motorcycle and took him to the hospital, where he later died.”

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Oluwaseun Olasanmi called seven witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, pictures of the deceased and a death report, among others, as exhibits.

The convict spoke in his defence through his counsel and called two witnesses.

In his judgement, Justice Adeniyi Familoni said: “Upon the totality of the evidence adduced by the prosecutor, I am satisfied that the prosecution has satisfactorily proved the ingredients of the alleged offence of murder of Arowolo Dare against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.”

“Consequently, the defendant, Arowolo Sunday, was found guilty and convicted of the offence of the murder of Arowolo Dare on April 9, 2021.

“The sentence of this court upon him is that he be hanged by the neck till he be dead and may the Lord have mercy on your soul.”