By Ademola Adeleke
An Ekiti State High Court, Sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced one Olorunleke Ebenezer (24) to death by hanging for killing his own brother.
Justice Bamidele Omotoso, in his Judgement, said the prosecution had discharged the burden on Olorunleke Ebenezer and established beyond reasonable doubt the offence of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder against him.
Olorunleke Ebenezer, who hails from Yagba East Local government Area of Kogi State, was arraigned on three count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder contrary to sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, also section 316 and punishable under section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.
According to the charge, Ebenezer and others, now at large, on 29/8/2019 at Abe Cocoa Area, Housing Estate, Oke-Ila Ado Ekiti, conspired to rob his blood brother, Olorunleke Sunday of his Bajaj Motorcycle and a sum of N40, 000, at the time of the robbery, he was armed with a knife and murdered Olorunleke Sunday.
One of the witnesses, who testified before the court, said he went to the defendants house to inform him of his brothers death, but to his surprise, he saw injuries on the defendant body, coupled with the uncoordinated explanation as to how he got injured made him suspected foul play.
The matter was later reported at Ologede Police Station, in Ado and investigation commenced.
On getting to the house of Ebenezer the police team discovered that the defendant had sold all his properties and about to escape with the deceased motorcycle before he was arrested,
Ebenezer, however, confessed to have murdered his brother.
The prosecutor, Gbemiga Adaramola, called five witnesses to proof his case and tendered the defendant’s confessional statements, photographs of the deceased, medical report, among others, as exhibits.
The defendant spoke in his own defence through his counsel and called no witness.
The Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, BSES, had in 2019, reported the killing when it happened.
