The Ondo State High Court, Akure, on Friday, sentenced Muhammed Usman and two others to death by hanging for killing Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

DIPLOMATIC DIARY recalls that the deceased, Mrs Funke Olakunrin was killed along Benin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway in the Ore Odigbo Local Government Area of the state in June 2019, on her way to Lagos State.

According to the police, the suspects also murdered one Ogunbiyi Matthew, 65, and also kidnapped one Gerald Igboayaka the same day Olakunrin was killed.

Justice Williams Olamide convicted three of four suspects on eight counts charges bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms,  aiding and abetting.

The convicts are Muhammed Usman, Adamu Adamu and Lawal Mazaje.

The court however discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Auwalu Abubakar accused of conspiracy.

Justice Olamide gave his final judgement, which spanned more than two hours, after taking appearances of the prosecution counsel, Charles Titiloye, and the defence counsel, Obafemi Bawa. 

The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge had reserved today for the judgement after listening to submissions and adopted the final written addresses from the prosecution and the defence counsel.