Justice Oyejide Falola of Osun State High Court Sitting in Ikirun on Thursday sentenced two men to death by hanging over the murder of the death of an undergraduate of Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus, Miss Rofiat Damilola Adebisi.
Those who bagged the death sentence are Elijah Oyebode, aged 25 and Jelili Raji (aka Ifa), aged 35.
The third convict, a 28-year-old Yusuf Ajibade was sentenced to two years jail term for receiving the phone of the deceased.
They were arraigned in court on 14th November, 2017 and charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and accessory after the fact of murder which contravened Sections 324, 316 and Punishable under Section 319 and S, 322 of the Criminal Code Cap.3 Laws of Osun state, 2002 respectively.
Prosecution Counsel from Ministry of Justice, Barrister Kareem Adekilekun who appeared alongside barrister Kemi Oyolola earlier told the court that “On the 22nd December, 2016 Miss Rofiat Damilola Adebisi, a 400 Level student of Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus boarded a Golf Car with Registration number, Lagos FKJ 636 DL driven by Mr. Elijah Oyebode.”
Asekilekun said “on the 23rd of December, 2016 the body of Rofiat Damilola Adebisi was later found by the road side along Egbeda/Iragbiji Road.”
He said Yusuf Ajibade was arrested through the deceased phone, an IPHONE 5 which he sold to Quadri on the instruction of Elijah Oyebode.
Elijah Oyebode in his statement said Jelili Raji, asked him to supply him a maid and gave him a charm to touch any lady he intended to bring for him and that the lady will not argue with him.
Elijah was said to have touched Rofiat with the charm while boarding his vehicle before taking her to Raji at his shrine. Elijah said he was paid the sum of Ten thousand naira only for his role.
Elijah confessed that he used that charm to touch Rofiat while she was trying to put her luggage in the car boot.
Adeyeye Simon Police Officer attached to the Homicide section State Criminal Investigation Department gave evidence that Elijah was a commercial driver that was plying the route of Akure Owena Road.
Elijah and Ajibade took the Rofiat to Raji’s house after Elijah had had sex with her.
The witness also informed the court that the lady died at Raji’s house while Elijah and Raji dumped the body of the deceased along Egbeda /Iragbiji road in the state.
Another witness, Olatomiwa Alade, an Officer with Department of State Security Service said that a data report was obtained from DSS Headquarters Abuja while the deceased’s phone was traced to Kolapo Quadiri who alleged that he bought the phone from Yusuf Ajibade.
Barrister Adekilekun also told the court that the confessional statements of all the accused persons showed to be true and have also been corroborated by the evidence of Adeyeye Simon, a Police Officer.
During the trial, prosecution counsel called five witnesses and tendered several exhibits before the Court while convicts testified by themselves.
Justice Falola said prosecution counsel has proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and found Elijah Oyebode and Jelili Raji guilty of murder and conspiracy.
Counsel to the convicts, Barrister Suleiman Bello pleaded with court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Falola Hereby sentenced them to death by hanging.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of Raji’s shrine to the Osun State government.
Eye for Eye
Blood for Blood