An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo has sentenced three men to death by hanging over the murder of a 53-year-old widow for money ritual.
The convictsโMuyideen Tunji, a 47-year-old commercial motorcyclist, alongside his friends Yusuf Muslim (48) and Rabiu Fatai (55)โwere found guilty of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts.
The trio were arraigned on January 31, 2022, before the Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Fatimah Sodamade. They were charged under Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. All three had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel from the Osun State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Dele Akintayo, told the court that Tunji lured the deceased, Asiata Yekeen, to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the guise of settling a debt he owed her. According to the prosecution, the victim was attacked shortly after arriving at the house, where the two other defendants were present.
Akintayo further explained that after the crime, the suspects concealed the victimโs remains within the premises. The case was later reported to the police and the Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo when relatives and associates could no longer reach the deceased.
He added that witnesses who saw the victim enter Tunjiโs residence alerted security operatives, leading to investigations and the eventual arrest and prosecution of the suspects.
After evaluating the evidence and testimonies presented, the court found the defendants guilty as charged and sentenced them to death by hanging.
