Lekan Shonde to die by hanging for killing wife.
An
Ikeja High Court has sentenced to death by hanging, Lekan Shonde, a dockworker
who killed his banker wife, Ronke, 36, at their residence in Egbeda, Lagos
three years ago.
Justice
Josephine Oyefeso while delivering judgement on Friday found him guilty of one
count charge brought against Shonde by the Lagos State government.
Justice
Oyefeso held that the prosecution has proved his case beyond reasonable doubt
pointing out that the circumstantial evidence is clear that the deceased is
defendant wife and they have two children.
“I
cannot but hold that the sudden provocation, the heat of passion and the
retaliation, the violence used by the convict was in excess of a reasonable
man,” the court held.
Justice
Oyefeso, in sentencing Shonde, father of two to death, took judicial notice of
the analyses of the pathologist Dr Shokunle Shoyemi that examination revealed
old and fresh injuries on the deceased.
She
held that the bruises on the deceased cheek, blood collection in the brain,
brain swelling and other multiple injuries could not have been self- inflicted
injuries.
“The
defendant in the case was very economical with the truth when he stated that he
only slapped her when he overheard his wife on a phone call, praising the
sexual prowess of a lover.
“This
does not march the degree of autopsy report.
“In
the light of overwhelming evidence against the defendant, the court is
satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The
act was intentionally done. I found the defendant guilty.”
Justice
Oyefeso held that, section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015
prescribed that the person who commits murder shall be sentenced to death
“In
line with section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015, this is the sentence
of the court upon you Olalekan Shonde that you are to hang in the neck until
you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you,” she said.
Ronke
Shonde’s lifeless body was discovered in their apartment on May 6, 2016 and
Shonde was charged for alleged murder.
He
was arraigned on October 24, 2017 by the Lagos State government.
The
prosecution alleged that Shonde committed the offence at 8:30p.m on May 5, 2016
at his residence in Tiemo Street, Egbeda, Lagos.
During
trial, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered various exhibits.
However,
Shonde in his defense told court he legally married to Ronke, his wife whom he
was referring to as “Adunni” was sleeping on the couch in the sitting room with
her phone while he was leaving home on that day of the incident.
He
had told the court that he heard his wife speaking to one Kayode on the phone a
day to her death, telling him how sweet he made love to her.
He
slapped her on the wall.
In
his allocutus, Sonde, through his counsel, A. Mohammed pleaded for mercy.
“My
Lord, there are two children of the marriage. I know as a matter of fact, these
two children have passed through a worse moment of their life, agonies that are
immeasurable.
“I
know if these two children have any control in this proceeding, it will be that
their father should not be prosecuted at all, but since this is not, I wish to
plead with the court that their father be sentence on a very liberal term.
“The
defendant has no criminal record. He has developed series of failing health
since his detention.
“This
defendant hardly seems very well again, he sees faintly. My Lord, he is
hypertensive as he stands there and the authority of the prison can confirm.”
However,
the State prosecutor thanked the judge for ensuring that justice is done in the
matter.
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