Three men have been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Asiata Yekeen in Ile-Ogbo, Osun State, following a ruling by the state High Court.
Muideen Tunji, Yusuf Muslim, and Rabiu Fatai were arraigned before Justice Fatimah Adejoke Sodamade on January 31, 2022, facing charges of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts under Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Osun State Criminal Code. All three pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Barrister Dele Akintayo from the Ministry of Justice, presented evidence that Tunji lured the deceased to his residence under the pretense of settling a debt. Upon her arrival, she was confronted by the other two defendants. The court heard that the trio strangled Yekeen, dismembered her body, and buried the remains in a shallow grave behind Tunji’s house after removing vital organs.
The case emerged after Mr. Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman reported to police and the Amotekun Corps that they could not reach the deceased. Additional witnesses confirmed seeing her enter Tunji’s residence. Prosecutors stated that Tunji fled when he learned of the investigation, hiding at the homes of his co-accused and allegedly taking some of the victim’s body parts with him.
The defence, represented by J.D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade, argued that the prosecution’s case relied on hearsay and should be dismissed. However, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits, including the defendants’ confessional statements.
In her judgment, Justice Sodamade determined that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, convicting all three on all counts. The sentencing reflected the severity of the offences: four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, death by hanging for murder, and five years for unlawful possession of human parts.
The case underscores the judicial system’s response to violent crime in Nigeria, where capital punishment remains a legal sentence though executions are rarely carried out. The convicts are expected to appeal the verdict.
