Court sentences killers of Fasoranti’s daughter to death

The High Court sitting in Ondo, Ondo State has sentenced three out of four suspected killers of the 58-year-old daughter of the national leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio- Political Group, Funke Olakunrin to death by hanging.

Penpushing reports that, Attorney General of the State arraigned the convict which include Mohammed Usman, Osagie Lawal, and Adamu Adamu in 2019 for the murder of daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the  Afenifere leaderi.

The convicts were charged with four counts including felony to wit murder, murder, kidnapping, while Charles Titiloye appeared for the prosecution and Obafemi Bawa appeared for the defence during the trial.

Penpushing further reports that, the Judge, Justice William Olamide while delivering judgment, discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Abubakar, who was charged with aiding and abetting the crime.

The judge after listening to submissions by the prosecution and defence counsel and adopted the final written addresses held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, while it is recalled that  they were first arraigned in an Akure Magistrates’ Court.

Penpushing also reports that, the court it is recalled ordered their remand in Owo Correctional Centre,but  then had no representation in court and they pleaded not guilty to all the charges,hence, the then Ondo State Attorney-General, Kola Olawoye, who represented the state, declared that the state government was ready to take over the case.

The Attorney-General urged the court to rely on the statement deposed by an official of FSARs, Akeem Ogunjobi, who prayed that the suspects should be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Owo because Akure Correctional facility was over stretched.

Penpushing reports that, Olawoye  also pleaded with the court to allow the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to conduct coronavirus  test on the defendants before moving them to the Correctional Centre.

The Attorney-General pointed out that , the test was necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, stressing that  the health status of the four accused persons must be ascertained in order not to infect other inmates at the facility.

Penpushing further reports that, in her ruling, Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel   granted the prayers of the prosecuting counsel and remanded the accused at Owo Correctional facility, and equally ordered that their samples must be tested before being remanded at the centre.

Meanwhile, the magistrate, it is recalled stated that  the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the defendants and therefore adjourned the case for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.

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