Sophia Michaels
A 28-year-old man, Ayodeji Alomoge, has been handed a death sentence by a High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over the murder of Ogunleye Ayomide, whom he accused of having an extra-marital affair with his wife.
Alomoge was arraigned before Justice Jubril Aladejana in April 2023 on one count charge of murder.
According to the charge, Alomoge had on the 21st of June, 2022 at Ikere Ekiti murdered the deceased, contrary to Section 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
In his statement to the police, the father of the deceased, Ige Ogunleye, said that he got a call that his son had been beaten to a pulp by Alomoge and his gang.
“I rushed down to the place, and I met my son in the pool of his own blood with various degrees of injury on the head and mouth,” he said.
“I also met Alomoge being held by some people. I asked him the reason for his action, and he said Ayomide had been having affairs with his wife, and he had warned him to desist or else he would kill him
“I took him (Ayomide) to a nearby hospital and later to the University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, where he later died.”
The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, pictures of the deceased, and a medical report of the cause of death as exhibits.
The defendant spoke in his defence through his lawyer, Adeyinka Opaleke, who pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy. He called no witnesses
Delivering judgment on Thursday, March 21, 2024, Justice Jubril Aladejana said, “It would appear to me that rivalry between men over the affection of a woman should not be a ground to justify provocation, except the situation is such that it is sudden and leading to a heating of passion.
“I consequently find the defendant guilty of the murder charge against him and therefore convicted as charged
“The judgement of the court upon you is that you, Ayodeji Alomoge shall be hanged by the neck until you die.”
