Crime

Five sentenced to death for killing Fulani herdsman

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the murder of Ibrahim Adamu, a Fulani herder. The trial judge, Justice Kudirat Akano, handed down the sentence on Tuesday, June 2, 2024.

The convicted men, Ibrahim Issac, Lateef Bello, AbdulRamon Soliu, Bello Ibrahim, and Abudu Mumini Jolaanobi Saheed, were accused of abducting and murdering Adamu. The incident occurred while Adamu was selling cows at Owode-Ede, Osun State.

According to court records, after Adamu’s abduction, he was taken to a secluded area in his Toyota Corolla car. Despite paying a N3 million ransom, Adamu was killed after he identified one of his abductors.

The defendants were first arraigned on October 28, 2021, facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder under Sections 324, 319, and 364 of the Criminal Code Laws of Osun State. All defendants pleaded not guilty.

Moses Faremi, the lead prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, presented the case, detailing that Adamu was kidnapped on April 17, 2018, around 7:45 p.m. at his residence in Owode-Ede. Key evidence included extrajudicial statements and a mask used by the defendants, found at the crime scene.

Investigating Police Officer Ganiyu Taofeek testified that Adamu identified one of his abductors, prompting the gang to kill him. Taofeek revealed that Abudu Mumini ordered the killing, and the gang, including three still-at-large Togolese members, slaughtered Adamu.

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Taofeek stated, “Abudu Mumini, having realized that Adamu had identified one of them, directed the gang to kill the victim. After the murder, Mumini took Adamu’s head and heart, while Soliu took his arms. The remains were dumped in the Osun River.”

The defense counsel, Bola Ige, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. However, Justice Akano found the five men guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging.

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