An Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta has sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for the murder of Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye and their son, Oreoluwa, on New Year's Day two years ago.

In a judgment that lasted over three hours, Justice Basirat Adebowale convicted Adekanbi Lekan, the deceased couple’s driver, along with Odetola Ahmed and Adeniyi Waheed. The trio was found guilty of brutally killing the family before setting their corpses ablaze.

They were initially arraigned alongside Fadairo Temitope (Lekan’s wife), Adekanbi Adenike (Lekan’s mother), Owolaja Aanuoluwapo, Usman Azeez, Abass Odetola, and Adewusi Lukman on a 24-count charge. The charges included conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder, arson, escape from lawful custody, perverting the course of justice, and receiving stolen property.

Justice Adebowale ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against the three primary defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. She emphasized the brutality of their crimes and stated that they did not deserve leniency.

The court sentenced the first, second, and third defendants to death by hanging or lethal injection for multiple charges, along with life imprisonment with hard labor and additional sentences of up to 14 years.

“The sentence of this court on Adekambi Lekan in respect of count II is that he be hanged by the neck until he is dead or by lethal injection,” the judge declared. “May God have mercy on your soul.”

Lekan’s wife, Fadairo Temitope, was convicted on two counts and sentenced to four years in prison, to run concurrently. His mother was found guilty on one count and sentenced to one year in prison, starting from her remand date.

The tragic incident occurred after the Fatinoye family attended a crossover church service on New Year's Eve 2022. Upon returning home, they were attacked by their driver and his accomplices, who murdered them and set their bodies on fire. Their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted son, Olorunyomi Felix, were tied up and thrown into the Ogun River.