By Akinwale Akintunde
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging, a dockworker, Lekan Shonde, for killing his banker wife, Ronke at their residence in Egbeda area of Lagos State on May 6, 2016.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso sentenced Shonde to death based on the conviction that he was responsible for the death of his wife.
Lagos State had charged and arraigned Shonde before the court on a one count charge of murder on October 24, 2017.
The Prosecution alleged that Shonde committed the offence at 8:30p.m. on May 5, 2016 at his residence in Tiemo Street, Egbeda, Lagos.
In her judgment yesterday, Justice Oyefeso said that the state had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the circumstantial evidence was clear that the deceased is defendant’s wife and they have two children.
“I cannot but hold the sudden provocation, the heat of passion and the retaliation. The violence used by the defendant was in excess of a reasonable man,” the judge held.
According to the trial judge, the analyses of the pathologist, Dr. Shokunle Shoyemi 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 by self-inflicted injuries.
“The defendant in the case was very economical with the truth stating that he only slapped her when he overheard his wife on a phone call praising the sexual prowess of a lover, does not match the degree of autopsy report.
“In the light of overwhelming evidence against the defendant, the court is satisfied that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The act was intentionally done. I found the defendant guilty.
“Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 prescribed that the person who commit 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,” Justice Oyefeso
held.
The 36 years old Ronke’s lifeless body was discovered in their apartment on May 6, 2016 and Shonde was charged for alleged murder.
During trial, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered various exhibits.
However, Shonde in his defense told court he legally married 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.
