By Lukman Olabiyi
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court (Special Offences Court), Ikeja, has sentenced a pastor, Erinmole Adetokunbo, and his accomplice, Adedoyin Oyekanmi, to death for killing a seven-year-old boy in the Ikorodu area of the state.
Justice Taiwo gave the verdict after the defendants changed their plea from not guilty to being guilty. The convicts were arraigned on October 30, 2017, before the court on a two counts charge which borders on murder.
The charge sheet noted Oyekanmi and Adetokunbo, on June 7, 2017, at number 6, Oke Oniburokun Street, Odokekere, Ikorodu, did conspire to murder one Kazeem Rafiu. They were said to have beheaded Rafiu and buried the head around the church’s altar, while the body was kept in a canal.
Adetokunbo was later apprehended by residents. He was said to have confessed to the crime, naming Oyekanmi as his accomplice.
The duo led a team of policemen to the church, where the victim’s remains were recovered.
After four years of being remanded in prison custody, the state re-arraigned the convict before the Special Offences Court on September 21, 2021, and the trial commenced.
At the resumption of trial for the prosecutor to present another witness to prove the allegations against the convict, the court was informed by the state counsel, Mrs O. A. Bajulaiye, and defence counsel, Ms Anthonia Otsokwa, that the convicts have decided to change their plea.
Subsequently, the judge ordered their plea to be taken and it was read to them in Yoruba language and they pleaded guilty to the two-count charges. The state counsel, Mrs O. A. Bajulaiye, thereafter, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict them accordingly.
Begging for mercy, the defendant’s counsel, Ms Anthonia Otsokwa, told the court that the convicts had realised their offence and felt remorseful for the loss of the young child.
In her judgement, Justice Taiwo noted that the case was a very pathetic one as the defendants conspired and killed a young child by cutting off his head for ritual purposes.
“These defendants have committed a heinous crime and deserve no mercy. They have cruelly and intentionally killed a seven-year-old boy, depriving him and his family of a bright destiny.
“Section 222 Criminal of Lagos State has imposed the death penalty for premeditated murder and I have no hesitation in imposing the said punishment. I, hereby, sentence Adedoyin Oyekanmi and Erinwole Adetokunbo to death for killing Kazeem Rafiu. May God have mercy on your souls,” she ruled.