Osun court hands death sentence to three men found guilty of murdering and dismembering a 52-year-old woman in Ile-Ogbo

An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo has sentenced three men to death for the murder of 52-year-old Asiata Yekeen in the Ile-Ogbo area.

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The convicts, Muideen Tunji, Yusuf Muslim, and Rabiu Fatai, were found guilty of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts, the court ruled on Thursday.

The case began after Yekeen went missing, prompting concern from family and neighbours. Following reports to the police and the Osun Amotekun Corps, authorities launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the three men.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2023, in Suit No. HIW/IC/2023, where they pleaded not guilty to all counts.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Dele Akintayo of the Ministry of Justice, alleged that Yekeen was lured to Tunji’s residence under the pretext of settling a financial matter, assaulted, killed, and subsequently dismembered. Some body parts were reportedly buried in a shallow grave near the residence.

Residents reportedly became suspicious after recalling Yekeen entering Tunji’s house shortly before her disappearance became known. Evidence presented showed that Tunji fled the area, Muslim provided shelter for him, and Fatai retained parts of the victim’s body.

The prosecution called six witnesses, submitted 13 exhibits, and relied on confessional statements from the defendants. The defence argued the evidence was circumstantial and based largely on hearsay.

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Justice Sodamade concluded that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting the three men on all counts. She sentenced them to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, five years for unlawful possession of human parts, and death by hanging for murder.