An herb seller, Jelli Kareem, an Okada rider, Oludayo Oludele, and an electrician, Awodeji Muyiwa, have been sentenced to death for the robbery and murder of Adebayo Mukaila, a corps member, in Osogbo, Osun State.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Adedapo Adeniji of the State High Court, Ile-Ife.
The tragic incident occurred on January 28, 2020, in the Omo West Area. Kareem, Oludele, and Muyiwa were found guilty of conspiring to rob and kill Mukaila, taking his phone, recharge cards, and other valuables. During the trial, they pleaded not guilty when arraigned on October 8, 2020, along with a vulcanizer, Anifowose Buliaminu, who was accused of buying the stolen recharge cards from the convicts.
The prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Muyiwa Ogunleye, presented a strong case against the defendants. Four witnesses testified, including Mukaila’s 10-year-old daughter who witnessed her father’s murder, a family member, a pathologist, and an investigative police officer. The prosecution also provided an autopsy report and other critical evidence.
Ogunleye stated, “Kareem, Oludele, and Muyiwa on January 28, 2020, in Omo West Area conspired to rob and kill one Mukaila of his phone, recharge cards, and other valuables.”
He added that the crimes of conspiracy, robbery, murder, and possession of firearms violated Sections 316, 319, and 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State, 2002, and Section 27 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R11, LFN 2004.
Despite the defense counsel, including Shina Olaniyan, Folashade Ipede, and Suleiman Akano, arguing that the prosecution had not proven their case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Adeniji concluded that the evidence against the convicts was overwhelming.
In his judgment, Justice Adeniji stated, “The prosecution proved all the cases beyond reasonable doubt.” Consequently, he sentenced Kareem, Oludele, and Muyiwa to death. However, Anifowose Buliaminu was discharged and acquitted for the charge of receiving stolen recharge cards.
