Court dismisses claim of insanity, sentences killer of traditional chief in Ekiti to death by hanging  

A State High Court in Ekiti State on Friday dismissed claims of insanity and sentenced the killer of a traditional chief in the state, Stephen Omoniyi, 42 years, to death by hanging. Omoniyi killed the traditional ruler four years ago and the case has been dragging on since then.

The prosecution counsel for Ekiti State, Adegboyega Morakinyo, invited five witnesses during prosecution, and also presented medical report, statements of Omoniyi, knife, and rope, including other exhibits. The counsel to the murderer, Tope Amr Salami, invited no witness in defence.

The presiding judge, Justice Olukayode Ogundana, in his judgement dismissed the claims that the defendant is insane at the time of committing the murder. The judge convicted and sentenced Omoniyi to death by hanging.

It was disclosed that “Omoniyi was arraigned on one count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.”

It was narrated that Omoniyi had murdered the traditional ruler of Odo Oro Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area, Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll on August 20, 2018. Omoniyi attacked and stabbed the Onise of Odo Oro to death while he was trekking to his residence from the palace after presiding over the weekly meeting with traditional chiefs.