DPP seeks death penalty for slain banker’s husband

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday asked an Ikeja High Court to convict one Akolade Arowolo for allegedly stabbing his wife to death.

The DPP Director, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, made the call in her final address at the trial of Arowolo before Justice Lateefat Okunnu. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Arowolo, 31, was charged to court for allegedly stabbing his wife, Titilayo, a banker, to death.

The DPP alleged that the accused murdered Titilayo on June 24, 2011 at their residence at No. 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos.

Addressing the court, Ogungbesan argued that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused “beyond reasonable doubt.”

She said, “The evidence  have shown that the deceased is dead.

“The only person that was with the deceased before her death at the material time was the accused.”

The DPP said that Arowolo admitted that he struggled with the deceased with a knife, which led to her death and thereafter, escaped from the crime scene.

Ogungbesan said that the pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, also testified that the deceased was stabbed 76 times.

She said that Arowolo chose to use a lethal weapon (knife) with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily harm was the probable consequence of his action.

“No other person could have been responsible for the death of the deceased.

“I urge my lord to convict the accused as charged, having proved all the essential ingredients of murder,” Ogungbesan said.

However, Arowolo’s Counsel, Mr Olarenwaju Ajanaku, urged the court to dismiss the charge and acquit Arowolo.

Ajanaku said the prosecution had failed to prove its case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt as required by  law.

“It is only being suspected that the accused was responsible for the death of the deceased.

“No sufficient facts have been led to prove this suspicion,” he argued.

Okunnu said  the judgment date would be communicated later.