Ex-FUTA VC killers to die by hanging

On Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure yesterday sentenced to death by hanging two persons- Ita Enang and Olayemi Bamitale- for killing the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Albert Ilemobade.

Enang and Bamitale were domestic workers (gateman and driver), killed Ilemobade on June 21, last year, and dumped his remains in an empty stall in his compound at Ijapo,Akure.

They stole his Toyota Rav 4 and other items.

The don’s remains were later discovered by family members, a week later.

The criminals were arrested in Ogun State by policemen, while attempting to dispose off the stolen items.

They were later transferred to the Ondo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

The convicts were charged with conspiracy, robbery and murder by strangling.

The offence, according to the prosecution, was contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Adejoke Adeyemi-Tuki, called four witnesses and tendered several exhibits during the prosecution.

The charges read: “That you Daniel Ita Effiog and Olayemi Bamitale on  June 21 2015 at about 9pm at No. 1 Ikere Street Ijapo Estate commit felony to wit: murder.

“That you Daniel Ita Effiog and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did kill one Prof Albert Adeoye Ilemobade by jointly strangling him to death.

“That you Daniel Ita Effiog and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conspire together to commit felony to wit: robbery.

“That you Daniel Ita Effiog and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did steal one late Prof Albert Adeoye Ilemobade’s Toyota Rav 4 2008 model with registration number Lagos GGE-589-CF value yet unknown and N7,000.”

However, in one of their previous arraignment, they denied killing him by pleading not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against them.

Justice Olamide Williams agreed that the prosecuting counsel had proven beyond doubt that the accused caused Ilemobade’s untimely death because of their selfishness.

Williams also found the two culprits guilty of conspiracy and robbery.

He frowned at the dastardly act, saying “it is a further revelation that today’s youths just want to be rich, regardless of the means”.

The judge said: “The accused were callous, wicked and inconsiderate when they decided to snuff life out of an elderly person over his property.

“Against this backdrop, the accused do not deserve the sympathy or mercy of this court.

“Law must take its course and this will serve as a deterrent to others. The accused are hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on your souls.”

Counsel to the accused Kazeem Hassan said his clients have the right to appeal.

The prosecuting counsel, Adesola Tuki, hailed the judgment.

Ex-FUTA VC killers to die by hanging