Ondo Court Arraigns Three for Murder, Sentences Artisan to Four Years for Theft

Legal drama unfolded in Ondo State this week as the State Police Command arraigned three individuals in connection with the death of a security guard, while a separate ruling sentenced an artisan to four years in prison for burglary and theft. Both incidents, highlighting the rising concern over violent and property-related crimes, are now drawing attention to the judiciary’s role in maintaining law and order.

At the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Okitipupa, 60-year-old Osagbemi Oluwafemi, alongside Taiwo David, 22, and Ayenuyo Ibrahim, 25, were brought before the bench on charges of conspiracy and murder. The trio were accused of assaulting a security guard, Taiwo Williams, on July 2, 2025, at New Custom Junction in Idepe, located within the Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State.

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According to police prosecutor Taiwo Oniyere, the defendants attacked the late Williams with wooden planks during an altercation. The assault was so severe that the victim succumbed to his injuries days later. The prosecutor cited Sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, as the legal framework for the charges filed against the accused.

The court documents stated: “That you, Ayenuyo Ibrahim, ‘m’, Osagbemi Oluwafemi, ‘f’, and Taiwo David, ‘m’, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully beat up one Williams Taiwo, which later resulted in his death, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

During the arraignment, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the suspects in custody while awaiting legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Defence counsel O. Adedire responded by requesting an adjournment, allowing the defendants adequate time to respond to the application.

Chief Magistrate Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi approved the defence’s request, ordering that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility until July 31, when the matter will resume for further hearing.

Babatunde Gets Four Years Behind Bars for Stealing Poultry Farm Equipment

Meanwhile, a separate case in Akure delivered a swift judgment against 28-year-old artisan Tobi Babatunde, who was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing machinery from a poultry farm.

Babatunde was arraigned before Magistrate O. Omotosho on a three-count charge of burglary and theft. According to police prosecutor Nelson Akintimehin, the crime took place between June 2024 and July 2025 at a poultry farm located within the Mopol Barracks vicinity in Owode, Akure North Local Government Area.

The prosecution revealed that Babatunde unlawfully broke into the poultry facility owned by one Veronica Titus and stole two electric motors, each valued at N650,000, totaling N1.3 million in stolen equipment.

Despite denying the charges initially, the court found Babatunde guilty based on compelling evidence provided by the prosecution and his eventual confession. The prosecutor, Akintimehin, called for a firm sentence to send a clear message against such criminal acts, which have been plaguing farms and small businesses in the region.

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Court Delivers Split Sentence with Fine Options

Magistrate Omotosho sentenced Babatunde to two years imprisonment on the first count, with an option of a N200,000 fine. On the second and third counts, he received one year each, with the option of paying N50,000 fines per count. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, effectively locking Babatunde away for four years, unless he pays the prescribed fines.

The ruling reflects a balance between punitive justice and the opportunity for financial restitution, giving the convict an option to mitigate his jail time through fines.

These two cases underscore a growing concern about the rise in criminal offenses involving both violence and theft in Ondo State. With legal proceedings underway and sentences handed down, the state judiciary continues to reinforce the message that criminal acts will not go unpunished, especially where lives and livelihoods are at stake.