Court sentences pastor to death for killing 7-year-old for ritual

An Ikeja special offences court has sentenced one Erinmole Adetokunbo, a pastor, and one Adedoyin Oyekanmi to death for killing a seven-year-old boy for ritual purposes.

Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the presiding judge, sentenced the convicts after they changed their pleas from “not guilty” to “guilty”.

The convicts were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder, by the Lagos state government on October 30, 2017.

The prosecution alleged that the convicts committed the offences on June 7, 2017, at Odokekere area of Ikorodu in Lagos state.

According to the state government, the child’s head was cut off by the pair, who then allegedly buried it on a “church” altar, after which they dumped the body into a canal.

Although the accused persons initially pleaded not guilty upon arraignment, at the court session on Monday, O.A. Bajulaiye, the prosecution counsel, informed the court that the defendants were ready to change their pleas.

Anthonia Otsokwa, counsel to the defendants, did not object.

Consequently, the convicts pleaded guilty to the two-count charge.

The court thereafter reviewed the facts of the case, and the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict them accordingly.

Otsokwa prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, saying her clients had realised their mistakes and were remorseful.

“We plead with the court to consider a sentence with terms of imprisonment,” she said.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, the judge imposed the maximum sentence for murder — death by hanging — adding that the duo committed heinous crimes.

“The defendants have committed a heinous crime and deserve no mercy,” the judge held.

“They have cruelly and intentionally killed a seven-year-old boy. This deprived him and his family of a bright destiny.

“Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State imposes death penalty for premeditated murder, and I have no hesitation in imposing the said punishment.

“I hereby sentence Adedoyin Oyekanmi and Erinwole Adetokunbo to death for killing Kazeem Rafiu. May God have mercy on your souls.”