An Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta on Monday, February 3, sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of a couple and their only son.
The victims, Kehinde Fatinoye, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) staff; his wife, Bukola Fatinoye; and their son, Oreoluwa, were attacked and killed in their home on New Year’s Day in 2023 after returning from a crossover service at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta.
The assailants, led by Bukola’s driver, stormed their residence, killed the couple, and set their bodies on fire.
Their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted house help, Olorunyomi Felix, were tied up and thrown into the Ogun River.
The family was still mourning the loss of their younger son, Oluwatunmise, who died in June 2022 while playing football.
Justice Basirat Adebowale found Adekambi Lekan, the couple’s driver; Odetola Ahmed; and Adeniyi Waheed guilty after a three-hour judgment, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trio were convicted alongside six others who faced a 24-count charge, including conspiracy, armed robbery, murder, arson, escape from custody, and perverting the course of justice.
The judge ruled that the manner in which the victims were killed and their bodies burned justified the death sentence, denying the convicts any leniency.