A middle-aged man, Joseph Abayomi, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ondo State High Court in Akure for the murder of his neighbor, Thomas Oluwole.
The incident took place in 2021 at the Ijoka area of Akure, the state capital, following an argument over well water poisoning.
According to reports, Abayomi attacked the 63-year-old bricklayer, Oluwole, with a machete during the heated argument, resulting in fatal injuries.
The convict was arrested by the police and charged to court on a count charge of murder.
The court proceedings revealed that Abayomi claimed to be “insane” during the commission of the crime.
However, after careful consideration of arguments from both the prosecuting and defense counsels, the court found Abayomi guilty of the offense.
In delivering the judgment, Justice O.S Kuteyi stated that Abayomi could not be exonerated from Oluwole’s death due to his deliberate and violent actions.
The judge noted that the defendant deliberately attacked the deceased by hitting him on the head with a cutlass.
Considering that the prosecution had proven the case of murder beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Kuteyi sentenced Abayomi to death by hanging.
