Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of High court sitting in Ikeja sentenced Adeola Agbonri to 21 years in prison for the murder of , Mathat Farinmade.

Agbonri pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge offence dated July 3, 2024 brought against him by the state.

During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, told the court that Agbonri and the deceased were friends who were cohabiting as a couple.

Dr Martins told the court that a fight occurred between the defendant and the deceased on January 5, 2012 when Agbonri challenged the deceased relationship with one Dare Shodipo.

During trial, the DPP,  Dr.  Martins, called two witnesses, the IPO and the deceased’s mother.

The IPO, Inspector Festus Utmoru, gave his evidence on March 14, 2014.

He explained how he investigated the matter, tendered exhibit P1-P5 which included the statement of the defendant, investigation report and pictures of the deceased.

PW2, the deceased mother, Elizabeth Faramade, gave her evidence on how the defendant was seen by people hiding between houses in their vicinity after dumping the deceased’s corpse.

The DPP urged the court to convict the defendant as charged.

“The conviction and sentencing of  the defendant would ensure that justice has been done and help keep our society safe from criminal acts”.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Akapo-Lawal  held  “the defendant Agbonri showed signs of rage and the deceased was advised not to go home with him.

“The body of the deceased was later discovered in the early hours of January 7, 2012 in the gutter in front of her mother’s house.”

Credit: thenationonlineng.net