An Oyo State Excessive Court docket in Ibadan on Monday sentenced 5 males to demise by hanging after discovering them responsible of the homicide of a taxi driver throughout a confrontation in 2024.
Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi delivered the ruling towards Segun Taiwo, 36; Kehinde Ademola, 46; Yahaya Adeniyi, 45; Chinonso Samson, 41; and Opadotun Michael, 32. The decide stated the proof established that the boys acted in live performance, noting, “I’m of the thought of view that the courtroom might safely infer conspiracy within the acts that led to the demise of Shittu.”
The courtroom first handed every defendant a 20-year jail sentence for conspiracy earlier than imposing the demise sentence for homicide. “On rely two, every of the defendants is sentenced to demise by hanging,” Justice Ajayi said.
The prosecution, led by State Counsel Okay. Okay. Oloso, recounted that the incident started on 10 April 2024 at Elepe, Arulogun Highway, within the Ojoo space of Ibadan when Shittu’s taxi made contact with a motorbike carrying two passengers. The minor street collision escalated after the events moved to a close-by pub to debate compensation.
In keeping with the prosecution, the defendants restrained Shittu, stopping him from leaving, and later overpowered and fatally assaulted him when he tried to flee. Investigators subsequently recovered Shittu’s taxi and private belongings at a store linked to a member of the family of one of many convicts.
The courtroom held that the offences violated Sections 316, 319 and 324 of the Felony Code Legal guidelines of Oyo State 2000, which prescribe penalties for homicide and conspiracy.
In a associated context, courts in different states have delivered comparable sentences for violent crimes. In 2024, an Osun State Excessive Court docket sentenced Wasiu Afolayan, 36, and Kola Adeyemi, 34, to demise by hanging for conspiracy and armed theft, beneath Part 3(1) of the Theft and Firearms (Particular Provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Legal guidelines of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
