In a verdict delivered by the Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, a 43-year-old man, Akinyemi Ojo, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to murder a woman on a farm.
Ojo faced trial on January 25, 2023, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, following an incident on December 5, 2022, in Aramoko Ekiti.
The charge stated, “That Akinyemi Ojo on December 5, 2022, in Aramoko Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did attempt to murder one David Faith by macheting her. The offence is contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”
The victim recounted her ordeal in court, stating, “While I was on the farm, I saw the man holding a cutlass and coming ferociously towards where I was. I suspected his movement to be of evil agenda. I then took to my heels. He gave me a chase, but when I fell, he inflicted machete cuts all over my body until I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I crawled to the main road where some passersby took me to the General Hospital, Aramoko Ekiti. I do not know my offence or why he wanted to kill me.”
Prosecutor Taiwo Ajibulu-Ariyo presented five witnesses and evidence, including statements by the defendant and victim, a cutlass, and pictures of the victim. The defendant opted not to call any witnesses but spoke in his own defense through his lawyer.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye remarked, “In this instant case, I found that the defendant macheted the victim, and the degree of injury inflicted on her was capable of causing her death, but for the intervening efforts of the passersby who saw her in the pool of blood. The defendant is hereby convicted as charged in line with Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State. He is accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment.”
