Couple sentenced to death for murder

An Osun State High Court has sentenced a couple, Fatai Jimoh and Lateefat Jimoh, to death by hanging for killing a trader, Bukola Taiwo.
According to Channels TV, The murder occurred at Ikeketu Village, Garage Olode in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.

Fatai and Lateefat were charged on three counts of conspiracy, robbery and murder committed by the duo on August 12, 2009 and they were arraigned on June 2, 2014, five years after.

The prosecuting counsel from Osun State Ministry of Justice, Mr Moses Faremi, told the court that the couple committed offences contrary to Section (1) 316 and punishable under Cap 34, Laws of Osun State and (6b) and Section 1(1) 2(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap R11, Law of federation.

The prosecutor explained that the couple robbed and killed the deceased when she came to the village from Ibadan in Oyo state to buy palm oil.

He also said Fatai broke into the room where the palm oil was kept and sold 48 kegs leaving 22 kegs in the room.

“Mrs Bukola Taiwo having noticed the deed of Fatai was said to have reported the case to the police where Fatai was invited; he admitted and promised to pay her (the deceased) back.

“However, Mrs Taiwo, who used to sleep in the home of Fatai whenever she was around in Ikeketu to buy oil went back to Fatai’s residence to sleep and about 11 p.m. Fatai went to her room and strangled her to death,” he explained.

The prosecutor further told the court that When Mr Fatai could not overpower her, the wife, Lateefat, was reported to have fetched a sledge-hammer to smash the forehead of the deceased.

He told the court that Fatai and Lateefat strangled her and took away a sum of 48,780 Naira belonging to the deceased.

Justice Adedotun Onibokun after hearing the testimonies found the couple guilty on two counts of murder and robbery and sentenced them to death by hanging.
Nigeria has since 2006 not carried out an execution until in 2013 when four prisoners who were in death row were executed. In a 2014 research made by Amnesty International, about 697 people were sentenced to death by firing squad or by hanging.