An High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Olasunkanmi Kareem, to life imprisonment for attempt murder of his former boss.
INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mr. Kareem was arraigned on November 18, 2024, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
It was gathered that the defendant, on August 11, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti, set his former boss, Omoboriowo Bashiru ablaze due to a misunderstanding between them.
Narrating his ordeal before court on Wednesday, Mr. Omoboriowo said that Kareem was once an apprentice at his mechanic shop.
He added that he had been supportive with him, even after his graduation as a professional mechanic.
He said: “The defendant was once my apprentice at my mechanic workshop. Even after he graduated, I continued to assist him whenever he had issues with customers’ cars.
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“On that day, he called me around 8pm, asking about a carburetor I had helped him repair. When I told him I didn’t see it, he became abusive and threatened to set me ablaze wherever he found me. I thought he was joking. Later, I called him, and he told me where he was.
“We met at a vulcanizer’s workshop, and an argument ensued. Unknown to me, he had a gallon of petrol in his hand. Since it was dark, I didn’t see it until he poured it on me.
“When I realized it was petrol, I tried to run, but my body was already on fire. I fell into a drainage before some passersby rescued me and put out the fire. I suffered severe burns and was rushed to the hospital.”
Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented four witnesses and tendered Kareem’s statements, pictures of the victim, and a medical report as evidence.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Jibril Aladejana held that the defendant had lured the victim to a location, ambushed him behind an electric pole, and doused him with petrol before setting him on fire.
He said: “The facts before the court show that the defendant deliberately set out to harm the victim.
“But for the intervention of passersby, the victim would have died. This intentional act of causing grievous bodily harm amounts to attempted murder.
“In my view, the defendant does not deserve leniency. He should face the full wrath of the law.”
“In the circumstance, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment.”
via: Information Nigeria
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