Justice S. M. Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced one Mohammed Kazeem Beiwa to death for the murder of his neighbour identified as Olokose Ojo Olushola in Ilorin a few days before his wedding in 2021.
The court also handed down 10 years imprisonment and a N100,000 fine each to his two other accomplices; Madu Jeremiah and Mohammed Chatta while the fourth defendant, Jimoh Abdulateef was set free by the Court for lack of diligent prosecution.
The four accused persons were facing prosecution before the court on eight count charges having been accused of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal removal of human parts.
The prosecution led by the former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Kwara State, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman alleged that the four accused persons attacked and kidnapped the victim Olokose Ojo Olushola in his house a few days before his wedding in Ilorin and killed him sometime in 2021.
The accused persons after kidnapping, killing, and dismembering the victim, also negotiated for payment of ransom for his release from the family knowing he was dead already, the prosecution told the court at the trial.
The prosecution at the trial of the case called nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits before the court.
Delivering judgment in the case on Monday, Justice Akanbi found three of the accused persons guilty of four of the criminal charges leveled against them.
He affirmed that “The defendants had caused the death of one Olokose Ojo Olushola sometime in March 2021, a couple of days before the deceased’s wedding ceremony.
“The body was mutilated and despite knowing of the death of the said Olushola Olokose, the defendants still demanded ransom from the family of the deceased making it appear their victim was alive and held hostage by kidnappers.
“The first defendant Mohammed Kazeem Beiwa who masterminded the horrific tragedy and was also a neighbour of the deceased was sentenced to death by hanging life imprisonment, and 10 years imprisonment with N100,000 fine on different counts.”
Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi
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