By Teniola Blessing.
An Ekiti High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 38 years Tizhe Goji to ten years imprisonment without option of fine for manslaughter.
Tizhe Goji was charged and arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on one count charge bordering on murder on 29/07/2021.
The charge reads that the convict on 21/11/2021 at Queens Court Hotel, Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did murder one Abayomi Olaoye, contrary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In her statement to the Police, one of the eye witnesses, Bukola Omorinkoba said, I came with other members of our family including the deceased for a wedding ceremony at Ise Ekiti, we lodged at Queens Court Hotel, Ado Ekiti.
Around 9:00 p.m., we were relaxing at the Hotels’ reception, we saw the defendant alongside other Police officers drove-in a Toyota Hilux Van, immediately they opened the vehicle’s door, he opened fire on us, the bullet hit the deceased and Adebayo Ilori, they were rushed to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, they were later referred to ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, Ado Ekiti, where Abayomi Olaoye was confirmed dead.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Abigail Aladejare called four witnesses and tendered defendants’ statements and medical report as exhibits.
In his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, the defendant said, I used the riffle to abort a robbery operation the previous day but forgot to close the riffle’s chamber. I was at Queens Court Hotel to celebrate my promotion for my colleagues, on opening the vehicles’ door, the riffle discharged accidentally, I did not do it intentionally, he however called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adeniyi Familoni said, I hold that the prosecution has proved the offence of manslaughter against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
The penalty for this infraction of the law is grave, it is life imprisonment. I will however be lenient by not imposing the maximum punishment.
The defendant is hereby convicted for the offence of manslaughter, contrary to Section 317 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti State, 2012.
“Consequently, the defendant is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence is to run from the date of his arrest and detention’’ the judge ruled.
