An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a 42-year-old Prince Omoniyi Ademola, to death by hanging, for killing a monarch, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, in Odo-Oro Ekiti, lkole local government area.
Justice Olukayode Ogundana, in his judgement, found Omoniyi guilty of the offence and convicted him.
The trial judge held, that “The prosecution led by Adegboyega Morakinyo, had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, that Omoniyi, indeed, murdered the monarch.
“Consequently, the defendant, Ademola Omoniyi is hereby sentenced to death and shall be hanged until he breathes his last. May the good Lord have mercy upon his soul”
The convict 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.
Omoniyi was said to be from the same royal family with the slain traditional ruler.
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Reports had it that the convict in August 2018, had thrown the Odo-Oro-Ekiti community into confusion and mourning, following the murder of the monarch.
Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin was reportedly stabbed to death by Omoniyi, with a knife after a meeting of the Traditional Council.
It was learnt that the convict, at that time was suspected to be insane.
According to the charge, ” Omoniyi Ademola on August 20, 2018 at Odo Oro Ekiti in Ikole Ekiti Judicial Division, murdered His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
During the trial, one of the Chiefs, who testified before the court said;
”We were at the palace on the fateful day for Onise in Council meeting, around 7:00 a.m..
“Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Omoniyi Ademola entered the palace and sat on Kabiyesi’s seat, while the Chiefs frowned at his action and drove him away.
“After the meeting, late Onise, in company of his male clerk were trekking back to the main palace, when Ademola came out of his hiding and attacked Kabiyesi with a knife and stabbed him to death.
“Before that day, he has been parading himself as the King of the town,” he concluded.
To proof his case, the state counsel, Adegboyega Morakinyo called five witnesses and tendered a medical report, statements of the convict, the knife and rope among others as exhibits.
But the convict spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Tope Salami and called no witness.
However, after listening to the prosecution and defence Counsels, coupled with evidence before him, Justice Ogundana dispelled the notion that the convict was insane.
