BENSON IHONRE V. THE STATE

OPUTA, J.S.C.: (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On the 6th day of October, 1987, the Court heard this appeal and found that it had no merit whatsoever. In fact learned counsel for the Appellant, Mr. Shola Rhodes, as well as learned Senior State Counsel for the Respondent, Mr. Ayodeji Alufohai each filed a Brief and each had nothing useful to urge in favour of the Appellant. They were perfectly right. I too found no merit in the appeal and accordingly dismissed same and indicated that I will give my reasons for the dismissal on the 11th day of December 1987. Hereunder are those reasons.

The Appellant was convicted by Edokpayi, J., (sitting at the Ekpoma Judicial Division of the Bcndel State High Court) of the murder of the following persons:-

(a) Ibhahikho Aireguamen a woman of 67 years of age

(b) Wilson Aigbogun a child of 2 years

(c) Dorothy Aigbogun another child aged 3 1/2 years.

(d) Egbahimere Daniel aged 3 years.

It is relevant here to note that all the children murdered were a…