Court Sentences Man to Death for Murder of Neighbour  in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin at the weekend sentenced Mr. Mohammed Kazeem Beiwa to death by hanging over his involvement in the murder of his neighbour, Mr.  Olokose Ojo Olushola, in Ilorin, a few days to his wedding in 2021.

The court also handed down 10 years imprisonment and a N100,000 fine each to his two other accomplices, Madu Jeremiah and Mohammed Chatta, while the fourth defendant, Jimoh Abdulateef, was set free by the court for lack of diligent prosecution.

The four accused persons were facing prosecution before the court on eight count charges having been accused of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal removal of human parts.

The prosecution, led by the former state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ibrahim Sulyman, alleged that the four accused persons attacked and kidnapped the victim, Olushola, in his house a few days to his wedding in Ilorin and killed him sometime in 2021.

The accused persons, after kidnapping, killing, and dismembering the victim, also negotiated for payment of ransom for his release from the family knowing that he was dead already, the prosecution told the court at the trial.

He affirmed that: “The defendants had caused the death of one Olokose Ojo Olushola sometime in March 2021, a couple of days before the deceased wedding ceremony.

“The body was mutilated, and despite knowing of the death of Olushola, the defendants still demanded ransom from the family of the deceased, making it appear their victim was still alive and held hostage by kidnappers.”

Delivering his ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice S. M. Akanbi, ruled that: “The first defendant, Mohammed Kazeem Beiwa, who masterminded the horrific tragedy, and was also a neighbour of the deceased, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”