A 21-year-old domestic worker, Emmanuel Akpan, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, for killing his employer, Mrs Febisola Adedayo.
The defendant was convicted after being found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, contrary to Sections 324, 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
In a case filed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, Akpan and his co-defendant, Goodness James Akpe, had, on March 29, 2021, attacked the deceased, a food vendor in her residence at Ifankanbale Street, Sabo, Ondo town, headquarters of the Ondo West Local Council Area of the state.
The prosecution informed the court the duo conspired to kill Adedayo after inflicting machete cuts on her neck, which led to her death, with investigations revealing that the suspects allegedly murdered their employer in order to steal valuables, including ATM cards, phones and a generator, before attempting to burn the house to destroy evidence.
While delivering judgement in Charge No: AK/57C/2022, Justice Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on the charge of murder.
According to the judge, the testimonies of prosecution witnesses were credible and consistent under cross-examination, adding that the confessional statements of the defendants further strengthened the case against them.
With the judge rejecting the denial by the defendants, he noted that their claims were contradicted by evidence before the court.
Justice Olamide described the act as cruel, inhuman and undeserving of mercy, especially considering that the deceased had once assisted the defendants.
However, the court subsequently discharged and acquitted the first defendant, Goodness James Akpe, for lack of sufficient evidence linking him directly to the killing, while Akpan was found guilty of murder.
“The sentence of the court upon you, Emmanuel Akpan, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the judge declared.
21-year-old houseboy to die by hanging for killing employer