ABBA AJI, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, dated 15/01/2014 affirming the trial court’s judgment against the appellant. The appellant was sentenced to death by hanging.
The appellant was charged with the murder of a 21-year-old lady, Sikiratu Abaki, who died on 7/4/1998 at Ilobu village in Osogbo, Osun State. It is the record that on 6/4/1998, the mother of the deceased informed PW1 that she could not find the deceased. The following day, Fausatu and Ganiyu informed PW1 that they found the pant and brassier of the deceased. PW2 testified that the deceased was last seen with the appellant. After investigation, the decapitated body of the deceased was exhumed at the entrance of the house of the appellant while the head was found in his ceiling. At the trial, the respondent paraded 6 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits, which swayed the trial court to convict the appellant. His conviction was affirmed on appeal.
In …