An Osun State High Court in Osogbo has sentenced a middle-aged man, Sunday Palma, to death by hanging for killing Isiaka Rafiu, a commercial motorcyclist (Okada rider).
He was arraigned on December 8, 2014, on one-count charge of murder, contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap. 3 Laws of Osun State 2002.
The prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice led by the Solicitor-General, Mr. Dapo Adeniji, called three witnesses and tendered statements, which were later admitted in evidence as exhibits.
He told the court that on August 20, 2006, the victim left home for work and the incident happened.
Adeniji said the Okada rider was gruesomely murdered by Palma.
He said his body was found a few days later at a footpath and it was obvious that he fought someone before he was overpowered and killed.
In his confessional statement, Palma admitted committing the offence.
He said: “I saw the boy riding an Okada. I stopped him and told him to carry me to the farm along Gbogban Road in Ikire. On getting to the farm, I asked him to stop, and I removed a knife in my poly bag and killed him. I cut his neck after realising he was dead. I left him and went away with his motorcycle.”
Delivering judgement, Justice Adepele Ojo sentenced Palma to death by hanging.