Court sentences houseboy to d3ath for k!lling his employer in Ondo

Justice Rotimi Olamide of the Ondo State High Court, Akure Judicial Division, has sentenced a 21-year old houseboy, Emmanuel Akpan, to d3ath by hanging for the m8rder of his employer, Mrs Febisola Caroline Adedayo.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted his co-defendant, Goodness James Akpe, after finding no sufficient evidence linking him directly to the crime.

Delivering judgement on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Charge No: AK/57C/2022, the trial judge held that the prosecution proved the charge of murder against Akpan beyond reasonable doubt.

The case, instituted by the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, was based on two counts of conspiracy to commit m8rder and murder, contrary to Sections 324, 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The court heard that the incident occurred on March 29, 2021, at Ifakanbale Street, Sabo, Ondo town, where the deceased, a food vendor, was attacked in her residence at night.

According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to k!ll Mrs Adedayo, while Akpan carried out the act by inflicting fatal machete cuts on her neck, which led to her d3ath.

Evidence presented before the court showed that the suspects allegedly committed the crime after discovering that the deceased had money in her house.

They were said to have subsequently attempted to conceal the act by setting the building on fire to make it appear as a gas explosion.

In his judgement, Justice Olamide held that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses were credible, consistent and unshaken under cross-examination, adding that the confessional statements of the defendants further strengthened the case.

The court rejected the denial by the defendants, noting that their claims were contradicted by the evidence before it.

It also faulted the explanation given by Akpan regarding his arrest, describing it as unbelievable and indicative of guilt, particularly considering his conduct after the incident.

The court described the k!lling as cruel and inhuman, stressing that it was undeserving of mercy, especially as the deceased had previously assisted the defendants.

While Akpe was discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence, Akpan was found guilty of m8rder and handed the mandatory sentence.

“The sentence of the court upon you, Emmanuel Akpan, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are d8ad, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul,” Justice Olamide pronounced.

Akpan and Akpe were arrested in March 2021, following the k!lling of Mrs Adedayo in Ondo town.

investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly murdered their employer to steal valuables, including ATM cards, mobile phones and a generator, before attempting to burn the house to destroy evidence.