Court Sentenced Killer Of Human Right Lawyer To Death By Hanging

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Friday convicted and sentenced carpenter, Oluwaseun Oladapo to death by hanging for the murder of human rights lawyer, Kunle Fadipe.

Justice Ipaye also found Oladapo guilty of the murder of Fadipe’s mother-in-law Mrs Cecelia Owolabi.

The prosecution led by Mrs Idowu Alakija of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) had told the court during the cause of the trial that Oladapo committed the offences on the 4 of July, 2014 at Fadipe’s residence located at No. 1, Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju area of Lagos.

Mrs Alakija had also alleged that Oladapo, while armed with a kitchen knife gained forceful entry into Fadipe’s home to rob him of an unspecified sum of money.

She said in a struggle that ensued during the armed robbery attack, the accused also known as Spider Man, stabbed Fadipe as well as members of his family which included son Folahanmi, his mother-in-law Mrs Cecelia Owolabi and Abiola Owolabi.

Alakija said Fadipe sustained numerous stab wounds to his body in the knife attack while his mother-in-law got a stab injury to the chest.
The prosecution stated and the injuries were fatal as they led to their deaths.

The convict however pleaded insanity insisting that he was unaware of his action during the incident.

But in her judgment, Justice Ipaye held that Oladapo went to the deceased’s house with the intent to commit the crime, adding that his action’s led to the children of the deceased having to grow up without a father to standing by them.

The judge also held, “It is impossible for you to claim self defence for your actions when you are the perpetrator of the violence.”

“I hereby find the defendant guilty of all the counts, as the prosecution has proved beyond doubt its case against the defendant.

“The knife with which the murder was carried out is one of the most vicious and dangerous looking knives I have ever seen.

“You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the first three counts, and you shall be hanged in the neck until dead. May the Almighty God forgive you,” she ruled.

The judge also sentenced Oladapo to three years each on the remaining two counts.

Source: Leadership