An Osun State High Court situated in Iwo sentenced three men to death by hanging on Thursday for the murder of Asiata Yekeen, a 53-year-old woman, as part of a ritualistic crime in the Ile-Ogbo community.
The defendants, identified as Muideen Tunji, Yusuf Muslim, and Rabiu Fatai, were convicted of conspiracy, murder, and the unlawful possession of human remains.
According to reports, Yekeen was declared missing after family members attempted to contact her without success. This led Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman to inform law enforcement agencies, including the Osun Amotekun Corps, in Ile-Ogbo.
Following the alert, the three men were apprehended and faced multiple charges related to conspiracy, murder, and the possession of human parts, violations punishable under Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The initial arraignment took place before Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2023, under Suit No. HIW/IC/2023. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
During the trial, Dele Akintayo, the prosecution counsel from the Ministry of Justice, narrated that Tunji had borrowed money from the deceased and deceived her into coming to his home in Ile-Ogbo under the pretense of repayment.
Upon her arrival at Tunji’s residence, Yekeen encountered Muslim and Fatai, whereupon the defendants reportedly assaulted her. Akintayo further informed the court that the defendants subsequently strangled Yekeen to death, dismembered her body, and concealed her remains in a shallow grave near Tunji’s home.
Witnesses in the vicinity raised alarms after spotting Yekeen enter Tunji’s house, especially as news of her disappearance circulated within the community.
The prosecution explained that Tunji escaped when law enforcement appeared to be closing in, and he took refuge at Muslim’s place, while Fatai retained some of Yekeen's body parts.
The prosecution presented six witnesses and submitted 13 pieces of evidence, including the defendants' confession statements, urging the court to impose the maximum penalty.
Conversely, the defendants' lawyers—J.D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade—contended that the evidence provided was primarily hearsay and inadequate to warrant a conviction.
In delivering the verdict, Justice Sodamade remarked that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in a guilty verdict on all counts.
The judge subsequently sentenced the defendants to four years' imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, five years for unlawful possession of human remains, and death by hanging for murder.
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