Justice Williams Olamide of the Akure Division of Ondo State High Court on Friday sentenced to death by hanging one Mohammed Shehu Usman, Osagie Lawal, and Adamu Adamu for the murder of Funke Olakunrin.
The conviction of the convicts came three years after the killing of Mrs Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural body, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti in 2019.
Mrs Olakunrin was travelling from Akure to Lagos after visiting her father when the gunmen struck and killed her along the Benin-Ore Highway on July 12, 2019.
Her death attracted a widespread condemnation from Nigerians, politicians, and the media and even religious groups
However, the convicts were arraigned at the court on eight counts charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and aiding and abetting crime.
Usman, Lawal, Adamu and Auwalu Abubakar were the four suspects arraigned in the court.
The court, however, freed the fourth suspect, Mr Abubakar, who was on trial for aiding and abetting the crime. He was discharged and acquitted by the court.
Justice Olamide, while delivering the judgement, on Friday morning, found the trio guilty of conspiring to commit the armed robbery that led to the murder of Mrs Olakunrin.
Justice Olamide, whose judgement lasted for more than two hours, read his final judgement before the prosecution counsel, Charles Titiloye, and the defence counsel, Obafemi Bawa.
The judge stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt and therefore sentenced the convicts to death by hanging.
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.
