Man to die for killing wife

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday sentenced a 65-year-old man, Ganiyu Akindele, to death by hanging for killing his wife.

Justice A. A. Gbolagunte, in his judgment, held that the evidence before the court was overwhelming to prove the defendant guilty.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Kayode Babalola, had told the court that the defendant, on August 29, 2006, inflicted several machete injuries on his late wife, Funke, on their farm located at Laguma village near Oyo town.

Babalola said the defendant inflicted machete injuries on his wife’s head and legs even as he severed the upper limb of her arm.

The prosecutor noted that there had been quarrels between the couple, with the convict often threatening to kill the mother of three.

Akindele was arraigned on a one-count charge of murder.

Babalola said that the offence contravened Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

Akindele, who had initially pleaded “not guilty,’’ later pleaded guilty to the charge.

In his submission, the defence counsel, Mr. O.L Omoloye, said he left judgement to the discretion of the court.

Gbolagunte consequently convicted Akindele and sentenced him to death by hanging.