Social media users have urged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to sign the death warrant of three individuals convicted and sentenced to death for the brutal murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola, and their son, Oreoluwa.
On Monday, the Ogun State High Court in Kobape, Abeokuta, sentenced Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi to death by hanging for the horrific crime committed on January 1, 2023.
The Fatinoye family was attacked in their Ibara Government Reserved Area (GRA) home shortly after returning from a New Year crossover service. According to court records, the family’s driver, Adekanbi, orchestrated the break-in at around 2:00 a.m. The assailants murdered the couple, set their bodies and home on fire, and threw their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted son into the Ogun River. While Oreoluwa drowned, the adopted son miraculously survived.
During the trial, Chief State Counsel Adefisoye Temilola detailed how the perpetrators, armed with a gun, hammer, and cutlass, robbed Mr. Fatinoye of ₦1.102 million and a Hyundai vehicle worth ₦12 million. Mrs. Fatinoye’s phones, valued at ₦1 million, were also stolen. Adeniyi slaughtered Kehinde Fatinoye with a knife, while Adekanbi fatally struck Bukola with a sledgehammer.
Justice Basirat Adebowale ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. In her judgment, she stated:
“The trio of Adekanbi, Odetola, and Adeniyi, for killing a father, mother, and son, do not deserve mercy. You are hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until you are dead or by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your souls.”
Other accomplices received varying sentences. Adekanbi’s wife, Temitope Fadairo, was sentenced to two years for harboring him, while his mother, Adenike Adekanbi, received one year for providing false statements to the police. Azeez Usman, a welder who dismantled the stolen vehicle, was sentenced to 14 years for receiving stolen property, while Anuoluwapo Owolaja got two years. However, Abass Odetola and Lukmon Adewusi were discharged of all charges.
Following the sentencing, social media users demanded that Governor Abiodun approve the execution without delay, arguing that condemned criminals often linger on death row at taxpayers’ expense.
Facebook user Otunba Smart Adeleke Al-Makura wrote:
“All governors should sign the death warrants of those on death row rather than keeping them in correctional centres, wasting taxpayers’ money. Governor Abiodun should sign this immediately to decongest prisons. These criminals don’t deserve to be alive.
Taiwo Samson Enitan also praised the judiciary, stating:
“Thanks to the judicial system. To reduce crime, the death warrant should be signed without delay. This will deter others from committing similar crimes.”
Similarly, Ya’u Ibrahim criticized the reluctance of governors to approve executions:
“If condemned criminals were hanged or shot immediately after sentencing, crime rates would drastically reduce.”
Olusegun Makavelli Shakur echoed this sentiment:
“I hope the governor quickly signs this to serve as a deterrent. Heinous crimes like this cannot be overlooked.”
Another user, Olusegun Fatoyinbo, who claimed to have followed the case closely, described the murder as barbaric and called for a constitutional amendment to allow state chief judges to authorize executions.
The Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice is served. Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated that the administration would not hesitate to enforce the court’s ruling.
“The state government will ensure that those condemned to death receive the punishment they deserve,” Akinmade said.
He warned that failure to enforce capital punishment could embolden criminals, adding:
“If those sentenced to life imprisonment or death are not made to face justice, it will encourage others with criminal tendencies to commit similar crimes. The government must prioritize justice at this critical time.”
