Cleric sentenced to death for killing friend, mutilating body in Lagos

By CHINYERE OMEIRE

A Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Wednesday sentenced a 34-year old cleric, Fatai Afobaje, to death for killing his friend and mutilating his body.

Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay sentenced the cleric to death after finding him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

The judge held that Lagos State Government, prosecuting the case, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Nicol-Clay said that prosecution was able to prove that the convict caused the death of his friend, Rafiu Sulaiman, aged 44.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict has been remanded since his arraignment in 2017, during which he pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution team, led by Mrs Adesola Adekunle-Bello, called six witnesses and tendered 12 exhibits during trial.

Prosecution had told the court that the convict murdered Sulaiman and mutilated his body by cutting off his head, intestines, lungs, scrotum and hands.

It said the incident happened on Feb.13, 2015, at Itire Village Magbon, Badagry, Lagos State.

The offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. (NAN)