A 38-year-old ex-policeman, Tizhe Goji, has been sentenced to ten-year imprisonment by an Ekiti High Court in Ado Ekiti for killing a wedding guest.
Goji was charged and arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on one count charge bordering on manslaughter 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.”
Meanwhile, 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 prove his case, the prosecutor, Abigail Aladejare called four witnesses and tendered defendants’ statements and medical reports as exhibits.
In his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, the defendant said, “I used the rifle to abort a robbery operation the previous day but forgot to prove and close the rifle’s chamber. I was at Queens Court Hotel to celebrate my promotion for my colleagues. On opening the vehicle’s door, the rifle discharged accidentally. I didn’t do it intentionally.”
However, he called one witness.
In his ruling, 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.
