The Ondo State High Court sitting is set to deliver judgment in the murder case of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere.

This is coming three years after the killing and trials of the suspected killers. The Ondo government confirmed that the court would render the judgment on Friday.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Charles Titiloye told Peoples Gazette that the prosecution had closed its case and filed the final written addresses before the court. 

Mrs Olakunrin was killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen on July 12, 2019, while in transit around Kajola on the Lagos-Ore highway. 

“Yes, the judgment will come up on Friday. We have filed our final written address(es) and done our best. We have also been able to establish two evidences on what led to the death of the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Mrs Olakunrin,” said Mr Titiloye. “Those who were also involved have made confessional statements, and we have investigated those statements and found them to be true. There is a clarity of evidence from those who had been charged to court.” 

The 58-years-old was travelling from Akure to Lagos after visiting her father when she was attacked and murdered. Her gruesome murder had attracted a wide range of condemnation from Nigerians, including political and cultural groups. 

Following the murder, former inspector general of police Mohammed Adamu ordered an immediate investigation. The police captured Lawal Mazaje from Kogi, Adamu Adamu from Adamawa, Mohammed Usman from Sokoto and Auwal Abubakar from Zamfara in April 2020, suspected to have killed Mrs Olakunrin.

In June 2020, the police arraigned the four suspects before a Magistrates’ Court at Oke Eda, Akure, headed by the Chief Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel, for trial on four counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, and unlawful possession of firearms. 

The case was later transferred to the high court. 

During the trials, which lasted more than two years, the prosecution cross-examined the defendants, with several witnesses appearing to testify before the trial judge.