Court sentences man to death for killing co-tenant in Ondo

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, has sentenced a middle-aged man, Sunday Omoniyi, to death by hanging for stabbing to death his co- tenant, Michael Oyebanji, during a fight.

Omoniyi was arraigned on a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

One of the witnesses, Ismaila Adefaka, told the court that the defendant and the deceased were his tenants.

Adefaka said that the incident occured on July 23, 2022 at about 6:30am at 4, Canaanland, Ijoka Road in Akure.

According to him, “On that day, I suddenly heard noises which forced me to trace the uproar to the defendant’s apartment where I met the deceased in the pool of his blood after he was reportedly stabbed by the defendant with a knife.”

He added that he lodged a formal complaint to the police after the deceased was confirmed dead at the hospital.

Other co-tenants, Adedeji Gift, Adedugbe Opeyemi and Aremu Opeyemi separately told the court that the defendant and the deceased had an argument that morning over the closing of the door to the house.

They added that the argument was resolved and everyone went his way.