By Taofeeq AbdulKareem, Ilorin.
The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced killers of Blessing Olajide (300L Student of University of Ilorin) to death by hanging.
Blessing was raped and murdered at her sister’s residence at Tanke in Ilorin in 2021.
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf who was the trial judge, convicted Two of the Eight defendants namely; AbdulAzeez Ismail and Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin (AKA Jacklord).
They were convicted for the offences of culpable homicide and armed robbery, and sentenced to death by hanging.
The defendants were arraigned before the court by Kwara State government in suit No KWS/33c/c/2021, on 11-court charge bordering on armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and rape.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Ibrahim Yusuf, also convicted Olayemi Timileyin Omogbolahan (3rd defendant) of rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
According to the judgement, the lifeless body of the deceased was found in the afternoon of the day with bruises over her body, her hands tied to the back and a towel covering her face with a paper dropped on her chest containing the message, “Unilorin doesn’t forgive”.
Justice Yusuf further found Abdulkarim Shuaib (4th defendant) and Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed (5th defendant) guilty of conspiracy to steal and stealing of money in the deceased account, and accordingly sentenced them to three years imprisonment to run concurrently.
He, however discharged and acquitted Abdullateef AbdulRahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo and Akande Taiye Oladoja (6th,7th and 8th defendants), being receivers and buyers of stolen items.
The prosecution counsel who was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Salman Jawondo when the case started while speaking to journalists after the court session, said, “It went well. The irony of it all is that all those involved are young men of 19, 23, etc. It’s quite unfortunate. And that shows that we have to work on our future in this country.”
Recalled that Blessing was raped and murdered at her Sister’s residence in Tanke Area of Ilorin in June 2, 2021 by some assailants. The deceased was said to be staying with her Sister until her death and was a student of the Faculty of Agriculture in University of Ilorin.
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