An Ogun State High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Monday sentenced a 23- 23-year-old man, Azeez Akinpelu to death by hanging for killing an eleven-year-old girl, Rokibat Odeyale, in Owode Egba, in Obafemi/Owode local government area of the State.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that Akinpelu, a resident of Owode, was convicted on a five-count charge of conspiracy, possession of firearms, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder.
Delivering her judgment, Justice O.O Stanley, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Akinpelu was guilty as charged.
She said the offence committed contravened sections 324, 316, 319 and 320 of the criminal code laws of Ogun and sec 27(1)(b)(1) of
firearms Act Cap Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014.
She thereafter, gave Akinpelu multiple sentences for the offences.
“I hereby sentence you Azeez Akinpelu to death by hanging “You shall be hung until you are dead, may God have mercy on you.
“You are also sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter and attempted murder with three-month imprisonment with hard labour for possession of firearms,” she said.
Earlier, during the trial, the Senior State Prosecuting Counsel, who pleaded anonymity, said that the convict committed the offence on March 27, 2021, at about 6:00 pm at Atala People Igbeyin, Owode Egba, in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State.
The counsel said the defendant conspired among his friends to murder one Rokibat Odeyale by shooting her on her head with a local pistol.
She explained that on March 27, 2021, the people of Igbeyin were celebrating Orile Igbeyin Day, when they heard a gunshot from the crowd.
She said the gunshot was shot by the defendant directly at where some children were entertaining guests with a cultural display.
“The gunshot hit two sisters, one named Rokibat, 11 years old was shot on the head, while the other girl, Fatia sustained injury on her hand and leg, they were immediately rushed to the hospital.
They were both taken to Federal Medical Center, Idi-Aba and Rokibat was later transferred to UCH, Ibadan, where she died,” the prosecuting counsel said.
She added that while the defendant was been chased and accosted, he was found with a bag which contained a locally made pistol, cartridge, charm, knife and a padlock