An Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife has sentenced 30-year-old Taiwo Agboola to death by hanging for murdering 62-year-old Mrs Jadesola Olubayo.
Justice Adedapo Adeniji delivered the judgment on Friday after holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Agboola was also sentenced to 14 years for attempted rape and 2 years for indecent assault.
The court heard that the incident happened on October 11, 2023, at a palm oil processing site along Amula River in Olokemeji Village, Ifetedo, Ife South LGA. Agboola had been on trial since November 7, 2024, on a three-count charge of attempted rape, indecent assault and murder under the Osun Criminal Code.
Latifat Adeyemo, the deceased’s granddaughter, testified that she had gone to the factory with her grandmother when Agboola suddenly appeared, stripped naked, and caused panic. She said the women tried to flee, but he chased and overpowered Mrs Olubayo.
Adeyemo told the court she ran to get the site owner, Ajide Bashiru. When they returned, Agboola had allegedly stripped the deceased naked and beaten her with a stone and stick until she died. She said he fled but was later caught near the scene and handed over to police.
Prosecutors Ajibola Alade and Omotayo Babalola called four witnesses, while Agboola testified in his own defence without calling others. His counsel, Oluwaseun Akintola Philip-Idiok Victoria Ugochi Layi-Jacob, pleaded for leniency, but the court held firm on the charges.
