An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife has sentenced Taiwo Agboola, 30, to death by hanging for killing 62-year-old Jadesola Olubayo at a palm oil processing factory.

The incident happened on October 11, 2023, at a palm oil processing site located at Amula River in Olokemeji Village, Ifetedo, Ife South Local Government Area.

Agboola was arraigned on three counts: attempted rape, indecent assault on a female, and murder, contrary to Sections 359, 360 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002. He was first arraigned on November 7, 2024.

During trial, the prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice, led by Ajibola Alade and Omotayo Babalola, called four witnesses. The defendant testified in his defence without calling any other witness.

Prosecution witness Latifat Adeyemo, granddaughter of the deceased, told the court she had accompanied Olubayo to the factory. Adeyemo said Agboola suddenly appeared, stripped himself naked, and caused panic. When she and her grandmother tried to flee, Agboola chased and overpowered the deceased.

Adeyemo ran to alert the factory owner, Ajide Bashiru. On returning, they found Olubayo stripped naked and her face smashed with a stone and stick. She died on the spot. Agboola fled but was later apprehended near the scene and handed over to the police.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Adedapo Adeniji held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. “I consequently find the defendant guilty of murder,” he said.

Defence counsel Oluwaseun Akintola Philip-Idiok and Victoria Ugochi Layi-Jacob urged the court to be lenient.

Justice Adeniji sentenced Agboola to 14 years imprisonment for attempted rape, two years for indecent assault, and death for murder.Agboola has the right to appeal.

Source: Punch Online.