The Oyo State High Court on Monday sentenced five men to death by hanging for the conspiracy and murder of a taxi driver, Akeem Shittu, in a dispute that began over a minor road accident.
The convicts – Segun Taiwo (36), Kehinde Ademola (46), Yahaya Adeniyi (45), Chinonso Samson (41), and Opadotun Michael (32) – were found guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder by Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ajayi ruled that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants acted together in the killing.
“I am of the considered view that this court can safely infer conspiracy in the events that led to the death of Akeem Shittu,” she said.
Each defendant was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, in addition to the death penalty by hanging for the murder charge.
State counsel Mrs K.K. Oloso told the court that the incident occurred on April 10, 2024, at about 8:30 p.m. at Elepe, Arulogun Road, Ojoo, Ibadan.
She narrated that Shittu accidentally hit a motorcycle carrying two riders, leading to an argument that was moved to a nearby pub for settlement.
The deceased was demanded N50,000 for the riders’ treatment but offered only N8,000. He was allegedly prevented from leaving, stripped naked, and later escaped, only to be chased, overpowered, and hacked to death with a machete.
The victim’s taxi was subsequently found parked in front of the shop belonging to one of the convict’s wives.
The offences were said to contravene Sections 316, 319, and 324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.