An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Taiwo Agboola, to death by hanging for the murder of a 62-year-old woman, Mrs Jadesola Olubayo.
Agboola was convicted over the killing of the deceased at a palm oil processing site located along the Amula River in Olokemeji Village, Ifetedo, in Ife South Local Government Area of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 11, 2023.
The convict had been standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on attempted rape, indecent assault and murder, contrary to Sections 359, 360 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
He was first arraigned before the court on November 7, 2024.
During the proceedings, the prosecution team from the Osun State Ministry of Justice, led by Ajibola Alade and Omotayo Babalola, called four witnesses to establish the case against the defendant, while Agboola testified in his defence without presenting additional witnesses.
One of the witnesses, Latifat Adeyemo, a granddaughter of the deceased, told the court that she had accompanied her grandmother to the palm oil factory on the day of the incident.
According to her testimony, Agboola suddenly emerged at the site and stripped himself naked, causing panic among the women.
She said they attempted to escape, but the defendant chased and overpowered the deceased.
Adeyemo further told the court that she ran to seek help from the owner of the processing site, identified as Ajide Bashiru.
However, by the time they returned to the scene, the attacker had allegedly stripped the deceased naked and battered her with a stone and stick, leading to her death.
She added that the defendant initially fled but was later apprehended near the scene and handed over to the police.
Counsel to the defendant, Oluwaseun Akintola Philip-Idiok Victoria Ugochi Layi-Jacob, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
But while delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Adedapo Adeniji held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge subsequently found Agboola guilty on all counts and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment for attempted rape, two years imprisonment for indecent assault, and death by han@0ging for murder.