Kwara High Court Sentences Three to Death for Murder

A Kwara State High Court has sentenced three artisans to death by hanging for the murder of their colleague, Saheed Lawal, in Offa, Offa Local Government Area.

Justice Adebayo Yusuf of High Court No. 8 in Ilorin delivered the ruling on Thursday, convicting Isiaka Jimoh, Lekan Ahmed, and Adebayo Saheed. The court found them guilty of causing Lawal’s death at a mechanic workshop near Government Day Secondary School, Amuyo, on November 5, 2020.

Prosecuted by the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, the trio faced a four-count charge of conspiracy and culpable homicide, both punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code. The charge sheet also alleged that they attempted to commit culpable homicide by pouring hot red pepper into the ears of another artisan, Hamzat Ibrahim.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Akande, called eight witnesses, while the defendants testified in their own defense and presented three additional witnesses.

According to court testimony, Lawal, a mechanic, was accused by Jimoh and Ahmed of stealing motor oil. The duo, along with Saheed (also known as Eje), tortured him until he lost consciousness.

Dr. O. M. Abdulsalam, Chief Medical Director of the State General Hospital, Offa, confirmed that Lawal was dead on arrival at the hospital after multiple medical examinations.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Yusuf ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“I find the evidence provided by the prosecution credible and am convinced of the defendants’ responsibility for the death of Saheed Lawal. They are, therefore, sentenced to death by hanging until they take their last breath. May God have mercy on them,” he declared.