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A 45-year-old man, Mohammed Isiaka has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti for murder.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted two others – Ismaila Okoro, 20, and Awolusi Bidemi, 23.

According to the charge, the 1st accused committed the offence on or about 27/03/2017 at Igirigiri village in Ado Ekiti when he murdered one Yakubu Jimoh.

The offence contravened 316 and punishable under Sec. 319 of Criminal code Law, cap C16, Sec. 428(d) of the Criminal code Law, Cap. C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012, and Sec. 3 Robbery and firearm Act, Cap R11, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 respectively.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, said, “The first accused is sentenced to death by hanging for murder on count one; and on count two, he is sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with N20, 000 option of fine for unlawful possession of firearms.”

The judge also sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of the Nigerian Army uniform with an option of fine of N2, 000.

He, however, acquitted the second and third defendants, saying, “In the case, there was no iota of evidence before me from which it could be inferred that the accused persons conspired to commit the offence of murder.

“The only option open to me in the circumstance is to hold that the prosecution had not proved the offence of conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt against the accused persons. In the circumstance, the 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted.”

According to the charge, the first accused committed the offence on or about March 27, 2017, at Igirigiri village in Ado Ekiti, when he murdered one Yakubu Jimoh contrary to Section 316 and punishable under sections 319 and 428 ( d ) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C 16 of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.

The prosecutor, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, called six witnesses, while exhibits tendered included a gun, an army belt, a portrait picture, a mask, a human skull and bones, charms, among others.

The second and third defendants, who spoke through their counsel, Sunday Ochayi and Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, called one witness each.

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