Abeokuta—After two years of anticipation, the killers of Ogun couple Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye, along with their only surviving son, Oreoluwa, have been sentenced to death by hanging. Justice Basirat Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court delivered the landmark judgment on Monday, February 3, 2025, bringing closure to one of Nigeria’s most horrifying New Year’s Day murders.
Convicted and sentenced to death are Adekanbi Lekan, Odetola Ahmed, and Adeniyi Waheed, who orchestrated the brutal attack on the Fatinoye family. Justice Adebowale handed down additional penalties, including life imprisonment with hard labor and 14 years imprisonment on separate counts, emphasizing the gravity of their crimes.
“The sentence of this court on Adekanbi Lekan in respect of count II is that he be hanged by the neck until you are dead or by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your soul,” the judge ruled.
How the Fatinoye Family Was Murdered
The Fatinoyes, who resided on Oba Karunwi Road, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, were returning home from a New Year’s Eve service at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake, when their trusted driver, Lekan, and his accomplices ambushed them. The assailants robbed, murdered, and set the couple’s house on fire around 1:30 am.
Their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted child, Felix, were tied up and thrown into the Adigbe-Obada river. While Felix survived, Oreoluwa drowned, marking a tragic end for the Fatinoye lineage.
Other Defendants and Sentences
The convicts were arraigned alongside Lekan’s wife, Fadairo Temitope; his mother, Adekanbi Adenike; and other accomplices—Owolaja Aanuoluwapo, Usman Azeez, Abass Odetola, and Adewusi Lukman. The charges included conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder, arson, perverting the course of justice, and receiving stolen property.
- Lekan’s wife was sentenced to four years imprisonment for her role.
- His mother was found guilty of obstruction of justice and sentenced to one year in prison.
- Abass Odetola, who assisted police in tracking his brother, was acquitted.
Family Reacts: “We Feel Relieved”
Zacchaeus Fatinoye, younger brother of the late Kehinde Fatinoye, expressed relief after the verdict, saying the judgment, though unable to bring back his family members, has restored a sense of justice.
“We feel okay, but no matter what, we cannot see my elder brother again. However, knowing that judgment has been delivered, we feel at rest.”
Similarly, Olufemi Oladipo, a member of Christ Anglican Church, praised the verdict, recalling Kehinde Fatinoye’s devotion to the church.
Legal Counsel Hints at Appeal
Babatunde Busari, the defense lawyer for the convicted trio, stated that his clients might appeal the ruling, pending consultations.
“We will speak with our clients to decide the next step, but they will likely explore the option of an appeal.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Kayode Akinsola, lawyer to the acquitted Abass Odetola, criticized the police for charging his client despite his assistance in arresting the killers.
“This should serve as a lesson to those who believe they can commit murder and escape justice. The law has spoken, and no sinner should go unpunished.”
Ogun Government to Sign Death Warrants
Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), has indicated that the government may begin signing death warrants for condemned criminals.
“The law states that murder carries the death penalty. We want to send a message that Ogun State will not tolerate heinous crimes,” he said after inspecting inmates at Ibara Correctional Centre.
With the judgment delivered and the state considering execution orders, the gruesome murder of the Fatinoyes stands as a stark reminder that justice, no matter how delayed, always prevails.
