An Ondo State High Court in Akure has condemned a 21-year-old domestic worker, Emmanuel Akpan, to death by hanging for the killing of his employer, Mrs Febisola Caroline Adedayo.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Rotimi Olamide, who ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt.
Akpan had been standing trial on charges of conspiracy and murder instituted by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
The court, however, cleared the second defendant, Goodness James Akpe, after finding no convincing evidence connecting him to the offence.
The incident took place on March 29, 2021, at Ifakanbale Street in the Sabo area of Ondo town, where the deceased was attacked in her home.
According to the prosecution, Akpan carried out the attack and inflicted fatal machete injuries on the victim after learning she kept money in the house.
It was further revealed that the assailant attempted to destroy evidence by setting the building on fire to make the incident appear accidental.
In his judgment, Justice Olamide held that the prosecution’s witnesses gave credible and consistent testimonies, which were not shaken during cross-examination.
He also noted that the defendant’s statements and conduct after the incident undermined his defence.
Describing the act as wicked and inhumane, the judge ruled that the crime warranted no mercy, particularly given the relationship between the victim and the convict.
The court subsequently ordered that Akpan be executed by hanging for the offence.
