The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has sentenced five men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and the murder of a taxi driver, Akeem Shittu. The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi, who held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The convicts — Segun Taiwo, 36; Kehinde Ademola, 46; Yahaya Adeniyi, 45; Chinonso Samson, 41; and Opadotun Michael, 32 — were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. Justice Ajayi ruled that the evidence presented, including circumstantial details, clearly established that the defendants acted together in carrying out the crime.
“I am of the considered view that this court can safely infer conspiracy in the events that led to the death of Akeem Shittu,” the judge declared.
Each of the defendants was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy, while the court imposed the death penalty by hanging on the second count of murder.
Earlier, the state counsel, Mrs. K. K. Oloso, informed the court that the incident occurred on April 10, 2024, at about 8:30 p.m. at Elepe, Arulogun Road, Ojoo, Ibadan. She explained that the altercation began after Shittu accidentally struck a motorcycle carrying two passengers, prompting an argument that was later taken to a nearby pub for settlement.
According to the prosecution, the deceased was asked to pay N50,000 for treatment but offered N8,000, leading to further confrontation. He was allegedly restrained, stripped naked, and later fled the scene. The convicts reportedly pursued, overpowered, and killed him with a machete. His taxi was later found parked in front of the shop belonging to the wife of one of the convicts.
Oloso noted that the offences contravened Sections 316, 319, and 324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
