Driver sentenced to death for killing his boss's mother in first online court sitting in Lagos

A driver identified as Olalekan Hameed has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his 76-year-old boss’s mother, Mrs Jolasun Okunsanya on December 1, 2018.

Hameed had reportedly gone to the house to steal, but killed her boss’s mother after she caught him in the act. He then fled with N97,500 and $117.

The Nation reported that the court session for the charge marked ID/9006C/2019 was held online via a video app Zoom, and it began at 11am and ended before 2pm.

The suspect who was first arraigned on March 6, 2019 on a two-count charge of murder and stealing, committed the offence at about 12:30pm at plot 83, Owukori Crescent, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos. He pleaded not guilty when the trial started.

While Justice Mojisola Dada presided over the virtual court process from High Court 10 in Ikeja, Hameed was at Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre, Apapa while the counsels were at different locations.

Justice Dada who passed judgement on the case said;

“It is also an established fact that although the defendant went to the house of the crime to steal, the surprise of the deceased stumbling upon him led him to not just pushing the deceased, but actually strangulating her in a bid to keep her from crying out.

“The case is clear… I have not found any contradiction with the evidence of the prosecution witness that can be deemed material or weighty enough to cast any doubt on the case of the prosecution against the defendant in this case… The facts of the case are incompatible with the innocence of the defendant but rather his guilt on the two counts.

“The defendant is hereby found guilty of this count two of murder and is hereby convicted as charged and accordingly sentenced to death.

“The sentence of this court upon you, Olalekan Hameed, is that you be hanged by the neck until you be pronounced dead and may the Lord have mercy upon your soul. This is the virtual judgment of the court.”