By Abimbola Ogunnaike
A domestic staff, Joseph Ogbu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ikeja High Court presided over by Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay for killing his employer, an 89-year-old woman, Ajoke John; and her daughter, Oreoluwa in Lagos State.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Nicole-Clay held on Monday, 27 March, 2023 that the prosecution had sufficiently proven the 3-count charge bordering on murder and armed robbery against Ogbu.
Nicole-Clay added that the defendant confessed to the crime as he self-confessed living with the deceased and he was the only witness of the incident.
“He killed Adejoke by strangling her and Oreoluwa by stabbing her to death as defence didn’t raise objection to the admissibility of the confessional statement, there’s no doubt that the defendant confessed to the crimes.
“The defendant couldn’t give an explanation as to what he was doing with all the stolen items he was found with at about 2 am on the date he was arrested.
“This court has found Joseph Ogbu guilty of these heinous crimes and you’re hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on your soul,” Nicole-Clay said,
The convict, who begged the court for mercy, said in pidgin English, “the mama no die for my presence. I beg for mercy.