An Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta has sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a couple and their son.
The victims, Kehinde Fatinoye, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) staff member, his wife Bukola Fatinoye, and their son Oreoluwa, were killed on New Year’s Day in 2023. The family had just returned home after attending a crossover service at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta, when they were attacked.
The assailants, led by Bukola’s driver, broke into their semi-detached apartment, killed the couple, and set their bodies on fire. Their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted house help, Olorunyomi Felix, were tied up and thrown into the Ogun River. This tragedy came just months after the family had lost their younger son, Oluwatunmise, who died in June 2022 while playing football.
Justice Basirat Adebowale delivered the judgment, which lasted over three hours, convicting Adekambi Lekan (the deceased’s driver), Odetola Ahmed, and Adeniyi Waheed.
They were arraigned alongside six others—Fadairo Temitope (wife of the first defendant), Adekambi Adenike (the mother of the first defendant), Owolaja Aanoluuwapo, Usman Azeez, Abass Odetola, and Adewusi Lukman—on a 24-count charge, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder, arson, escape from lawful custody, and perverting the course of justice.
The court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against the three main defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. Given the severity of their crimes, the judge denied their lawyers’ plea for leniency.
As a result, the first, second, and third defendants were sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection, life imprisonment with hard labor, and an additional 14 years in prison.
