An Ekiti State High Court has handed down a life sentence to 43-year-old Akinyemi Ojo for attempting to murder a woman on a farm in Aramoko Ekiti.
Ojo was arraigned on January 25, 2023, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The victim testified that Ojo attacked her with a cutlass while she was working on the farm, inflicting severe machete cuts all over her body until she lost consciousness.
She said, “He gave me a chase, but when I fell, he inflicted machete cuts all over my body until I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I crawled to the main road where some passersby took me to the General Hospital, Aramoko Ekiti. I do not know my offence or why he wanted to kill me,” she said.
The charge read, “That Akinyemi Ojo on December 5, 2022, in Aramoko Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did attempt to murder one David Faith by macheting her. The offence is contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”
She was rescued by passersby and taken to the General Hospital, Aramoko Ekiti.
The prosecutor, Taiwo Ajibulu-Ariyo, presented five witnesses and exhibits, including the cutlass and pictures of the victim’s injuries.
Ojo defended himself through his lawyer but called no witnesses.
Justice Blessing Ajileye found Ojo guilty, stating that the degree of injury inflicted on the victim was capable of causing her death. Ojo was sentenced to life imprisonment in line with Section 241 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State.
In the judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye said, “In this instant case, I found that the defendant macheted the victim and the degree of injury inflicted on her was capable of causing her death, but for the intervening efforts of the passersby who saw her in the pool of blood.
“The defendant is hereby convicted as charged in line with Section 241 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State. He is accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment, the judge pronounced.
