Ademola Omoniyi, a 42-year-old prince, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of the traditional ruler in his community.
The accused was arraigned in an Ekiti State High Court of Ado Ekiti Division for the murder of one person contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.
The charge read, “Ademola Stephen Omoniyi, on August 20, 2018, at Odo Oro Ekiti in the Ikole Ekiti Judicial Division, killed His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll, the Onise of Odo Oro Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.”
The community chief who gave a testimony in the court stated, “We were at the palace on that daytime for the Onise-in-Council meeting at about 7 am.”
“Before the start of the meeting, Ademola Omoniyi joined the palace and sat on Kabiyesi’s seat, but the chiefs scowled at his action and pushed him away.”
“After the session, the late Onise, in the presence of his male clerk, was walking back to the main palace when Ademola came out of his concealment and attacked Kabiyesi with a knife on the road and stabbed him to death.”
“Before that day, he had been marching himself as the king of the region.”
Adegboyega Morakinyo, the state counsel, called five witnesses to prove his case, offering a medical report, statements of the criminal, a knife, and a rope, among others, like demonstrations.
The convict talked through his counsel, Tope Salami and didn’t call any witnesses.
While providing a ruling, Justice Olukayode Ogundana dispelled the claim regarding the defendant being insane.
The judge further stated during the ruling, “Accordingly, the defendant, Omoniyi Ademola Stephen, is hereby condemned to death and shall be hanged until he breathes his last.”
