Ondo court sentences houseboy to death for employer’s murder

By Boye Oyeyemi

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a 21-year-old houseboy, Emmanuel Akpan, to death by hanging for the murder of his employer, Mrs. Febisola Caroline Adedayo.

The trial judge, Justice Rotimi Olamide, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, holding that the prosecution established the offence of murder beyond reasonable doubt.

Akpan was convicted on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The incident occurred on March 29, 2021, at Ifakanbale Street in the Sabo area of Ondo town, where the deceased, a food vendor, was attacked in her residence.

During the trial, the prosecution told the court that Akpan inflicted fatal machete wounds on the victim after discovering she had money at home and eventually attempting to cover up the crime by setting the house ablaze to create the impression of a gas explosion.

In his ruling, Justice Olamide described the evidence presented by the prosecution as consistent and convincing, noting that the confessional statements further strengthened the case.

He characterised the killing as brutal and undeserving of leniency, especially as the deceased had previously shown kindness to the convict.

Consequently, the court pronounced the death sentence, ordering that Akpan be hanged until he is dead.