An Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday convicted and sentenced three persons to death by hanging for killing a couple, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye and their son, Oreoluwa, on New Year Day,two years ago.
Delivering her judgement which lasted for over three hours, Justice Basirat Adebowale sentenced the trio of Adekanbi Lekan, who was driver to the deceased; Odetola Ahmed and Adeniyi Waheed.
The trio were arraigned alongside Fadairo Temitope (wife of the first defendant); Adekanbi Adenike, the mother; Owolaja Aanuoluwapo; Usman Azeez, Abass Odetola and Adewusi Lukman.
They were arraigned on 24-count charge including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to murder, murder, arson, escape from lawful custody, perverting the course of justice, receiving stolen property among others.
In her submission, Justice Adebowale held that the prosecution proved its cases against three major defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge found the suspects guilty of gruesomely murdering the couple and their son before setting the corpses ablaze.
Justice Adebowale also held that the convicts did not deserve mercy of the court as prayed by their lawyers considering the manner with which the convicts murdered the couple and their son.
The Judge convicted and sentenced first, second and third defendants of counts one to nine, handing them death by hanging or lethal injection, life imprisonment with hard labour, 14 years imprisonment among others.
“The sentence of this court on Adekambi Lekan in respect of count II is that he be hanged by neck until you’re dead or by lethal injection,” the judge said
“May God have mercy on your soul,” the court held.
Lekan’s Wife was also convicted and sentenced to four years for count 12 and 14, which will run concurrently.
The judge discharged counts 12, 13 and 14 against the mother, but found her guilty of count 15 with a one-year imprisonment from the day of remand.
It will be recalled that like many worshippers, the late Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye, alongside their only surviving son, Oreoluwa, attended the 2022/2023 crossover service at the Christ Anglican Church Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
After the service, they returned home, where life was snuffed out of them by their driver, Adekanbi Lekan.
The couple was gruesomely murdered by assailants who stormed their semi-detached apartment, a few hours after the crossover into the New Year. Their corpses were equally set on fire.
The only surviving son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted son, Olorunyomi Felix, were tied with ropes and thrown into the Ogun River.
