A High Court sitting in Ondo State has sentenced three out of the four killers of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural leader, Pa Fasoranti's daughter, Mrs. Funke Olahunrin to death by hanging. The killers are; Mohammed Usman, Osagie Lawal, and Adamu Adamu who were arraigned in 2019 by the Ondo state Attorney General. The criminals were charged with four counts of charges by the Attorney bordering on felony to wit Murder, murder, and kidnapping.
The persecuting Judge, Justice William Olamide while delivering the judgment discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Abubakar, who was charged with aiding and abetting the crime that lead to the death.
The Judge held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the culprits were responsible for the commission of the alleged crime.
After listening to submissions by the prosecution and defense counsel and adopting the final written address.
Mr. Charles Titiloye appeared for the prosecution while Mr. Obafemi Bawa stand-in for the defense.
NAN reported that they were first arraigned in Akure magistrate court, which ordered that they should be reminded in correctional center Owo.
The court relied on the statement deposed by an official of FSARs, Akeem Ogunjobi, who prayed that the suspects should be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Owo because the Akure Correctional facility was overstretched.
Subsequently, Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel, in her ruling, granted the prayers of the prosecuting counsel and remanded the accused at Owo Correctional facility. She also ordered that their samples must be tested for COVID-19 before being remanded at the center during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bob-Manuel, however, disclosed that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try the defendants but adjourned the case to June 3, for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution. (NAN)
