Man Allegedly Murders Neighbour

A man, Odukoya Idowu, has been arrested and detained at Area M Command, Idimu, Lagos State over the death of his neighbour, Iyke Godwin, whom he allegedly stabbed to death during a fight in their Ikotun residence.Godwin died in a hospital on Tuesday following the injury he sustained during the fight.

The deceased was married with two kids. It was learnt that Idowu allegedly stabbed Godwin in his stomach and he bled profusely before he was rushed to the hospital.

According to a witness, Idowu came back late at night and was calling Godwin’s wife to open the gate for him. Godwin allegedly challenged Idowu and warned him not to call his pregnant wife again at that hour. This did not go down well with Idowu, who rebuked Godwin and in the process, fight ensued between them that night.

Confirming the incident, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Austines Akika, said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for further investigation.

Meanwhile, 74 condemned prisoners in Kirikiri Maximum Prison are seeking mercy under the prerogative of mercy conferred on Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, under the constitution. Among them is Akolade Arowolo, who was sentenced to death for killing his wife, Titilayo Omozoje Arowolo.

Apart from the condemned prisoners, there were many others serving life sentences, who were also seeking the state’s mercy. This was disclosed on Tuesday when the committee set up by Ambode visited the prison on a fact-finding mission to have first-hand information of the inmates that are eligible for mercy and pardon.

The committee, which is chaired by Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo,‎ said over the years the government had come up with guidelines for prerogative of mercy, noting that the application sent by the inmates would be treated on merit.

The committee would look at how heinous the crime committed was, how long he has spent in prison after conviction, whether he has truly repented and is remorseful and whether the society would accept that person. We don’t want to release the person who will go back to do evil.”

Arowolo, who was spotted wearing a sky blue T-shirt over a blue jeans trouser with a low haircut, delivered a remark on behalf of his fellow condemned inmates. Pleading for mercy, he said they are all remorseful and have learnt from their mistakes.

Deputy Controller, Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Seye Oduntan, thanked the committee for the visit, which he said helped to reduce tension among the condemned prisoners.He said the prison was heated since last week following reports that government was considering execution of Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a. Rev. King, whose death sentence was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court for the murder of one of his church members, Ann Uzor. .

Source: Guardian