One man, Joseph Ogbu has been sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of killing his 89-year-old employer and her daughter 24 hours after gaining employment. The tragic incident occurred on June 19, 2019, at their residence in Surulere, Lagos.
During the hearing at Ikeja High Court, Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay found the accused guilty of a three-count charge bordering on armed robbery and murder. The domestic worker was accused of killing his 89-year-old boss, Ajoke John, by strangling her, and her daughter, Oreoluwa John, who was 38 years old, by stabbing her to death. The court established the guilt of the defendant through the evidence of the security guard, an Okada man, one Yahya Ibrahim, the house help, and a police Inspector. The defendant's confession to the crimes was also considered, as no objection was raised to the admissibility of the confessional statement.
Justice Nicole-Clay noted that the accused was unable to explain what he was doing with all the stolen items he was found with at about 2:00 a.m. on the date he was arrested. The court, satisfied with the total evidence, pronounced the death sentence on Joseph Ogbu.
“This court has found Joseph Ogbu guilty of these heinous crimes, and you are hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on your soul,” Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay said.