By Akeem Oduyoye
A middle-aged woman, Joseph Abayomi, on Monday bagged death sentence for hacking neigbour, Thomas Oluwole, a 63-year-old bricklayer to death.
An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital handed down the verdict on Abayomi.
The presiding judge, Justice O.S Kuteyi found Abayomi guilty of killing Oluwole in 2021 at the Ijoka area of Akure, the state capital.
Abayomi was said to have been involved in an argument of well water poisoning with the deceased.
During the heated argument, Abayomi was said to have attacked the deceased, a bricklayer with a machete at his neck and other parts of his body.
The convict was later arrested by the police following a report and subsequently charged to court on a count charge of murder.
The court charge was filed through the information deposited at the court by an Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Mrs Omotola Ologun from the Ondo State Ministry of Justice.
During the proceedings, the convict was said to have claimed to be “insane” while committing the crime.
After a series of arguments from both the prosecuting and defence counsels, the court found Abayomi guilty of the offence.
In his judgment, justice Kuteyi said Abayomi cannot be exonerated from the death of Oluwole following his actions.
Kuteyi, who listened to the defence counsel, said the defendant deliberately attacked the deceased by hitting him on his head using a cutlass.
While holding that the prosecution had proven the case of murder against Abayomi beyond reasonable doubt, the judge sentenced him to death by hanging.