Court sentences six to death for murder of taxi driver in Oyo
By Adejayan Gbenga –
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has sentenced six men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and the murder of taxi driver Akeem Shittu.
Those convicted are Segun Taiwo, 36; Kehinde Ademola, 46; Yahaya Adeniyi, 45; Chinonso Samson, 41; and Opadotun Michael, 32. Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi delivered the judgment on Monday.
The court held that circumstantial evidence linked the men to the killing, ruling that their actions showed a clear conspiracy that resulted in Shittu’s death.
Justice Ajayi sentenced each defendant to 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and death by hanging for murder.
Earlier, state counsel Mrs K. K. Oloso told the court that the incident occurred on April 10, 2024, at Elepe, Arulogun Road, Ojoo, Ibadan. She explained that Shittu had accidentally hit a motorcycle carrying two passengers, leading to an argument that continued at a nearby pub.
The motorcyclists demanded N50,000 for treatment, but the deceased allegedly offered N8,000, which led to a further confrontation. He was stripped naked, escaped briefly, but was later overpowered and killed with a machete. His taxi was reportedly found in front of one of the convict’s wives’ shops.
The offences contravene section 316 and are punishable under sections 319 and 324 of the criminal code laws of Oyo State, 2000.
