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| Akolade Arowolo |
The judge said that the prosecution proved their case beyond reasonable doubt and established that Mr. Arowolo was responsible for his wife’s death.
The convict fell in the dock and burst into tears after the judge condemned him.
Akolade Arowolo, the unemployed graduate charged for the murder of his banker wife, Titilayo Omozoje, was on Friday sentenced to death by hanging.
A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu found Arowolo guilty of one- count charge of murder and sentenced him to death for the murder of Titilayo in June 2011.
He was alleged to have stabbed Titilayo to death on June 24, 2011 at their residence, No. 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos.
Justice Okunnu, citing various statements made by the defendant and authorities said the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Olabisi Odugbesan, has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. I hereby found you guilty for the offence of murder. You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging, “the judge declared.
Immediately the verdict was pronounced on him, Arowolo, who held tight to the Holy Bible in the dock, throughout the four hours the judgment lasted, broke down, rolling in the dock and shouted, “Jesus, why? I did not do it. What would happen to Olamide?”
Olamide is the only product of the two- year marriage between the convict and the deceased.
Justice Okunnu based her judgment on three key issues – whether the victim was dead; whether the accused person was responsible for the act and whether he carried it out intentionally.
The judge said evidences from both the prosecution and defence witnesses confirmed that the victim was dead.
She also said there were enough evidences that showed that the deceased died as a result of multiple injuries to her chest and abdomen arising from multiple stabs that was inflicted on her.
The judge said that it was also clear in the evidences before the court that no other person entered the couple’s flat which remained locked until the second day when the brother to the defendant, Toyin, went in through the roof of the next flat and discovered the body of the deceased on bed.
“This eliminates any outsider at material point in time. The doctrine of last seen in law came into fore here. This means that the person last seen bears full responsibility for the death. It supports the proof already before the court. It supports the argument and adds probative value to the prosecution’s case. That shows it was the defendant who killed his wife.
“It is my finding that it is none other than the defendant himself who stabbed Omozoje to death. After eliminating all other options, I find that it was the defendant who stabbed his wife,” she said.
