A septuagenarian has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing a school proprietor at the Kajola area of Odigbo Local Council Area of Ondo State on August 7, 2021.
The 78-year-old community leader, Ojo Komolafe found guilty by Ondo State High Court of killing a School Proprietor, Taofik Babalola, was also sentenced to seven years on a second count.
During the trial, police prosecutor, H.M. Falowo, called four witnesses, which included the deceased’s wife; a neighbor, a police officer and a pathologist.
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While giving evidence, the deceased wife, Mrs Babalola, said she heard a gunshot and immediately ran out and saw the convict holding a gun.
‘‘I saw the defendant coming out of my husband’s room and then I took to my heels with the fear that he could also shoot me.
Thereafter, I rushed to my husband’s room and met him on his bed in the pool of his blood, shouting with his last breath that Mr Komolafe shot him. I rushed out and called people to come to my aid, but my husband died in the process,” she told the court
While being cross-examined, the convict denied the allegation saying the deceased’s wife was asked to implicate him.
He claimed some suspected cult members he reported a case of arson against conspired with the deceased’s wife to lie against him.
He said he was in his house with his wife when he also heard the gunshot that killed the victim.
Delivering judgement, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, the presiding judge, said there were contradictions in the defendant’s statement.
He described the convict’s claim that some persons conspired to implicate him was mere assumption.
According to him, the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that there was direct evidence that linked the convict to the scene of the crime as well as being responsible for the death of the deceased.
‘‘It is my finding that the defendant caused the death of the deceased by shooting him with a gun at a close rage, which subsequently led to his death.
The deceased was also seen fleeing the place of the crime. On the whole, I find the defendant guilty of the two counts as charged.’ You (the defendant) are hereby sentenced to be hanged on the neck, until you die in the first count and seven years imprisonment for the second count,” the judge ruled.
