A High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Stephen Adamu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering his biological brother, David Adamu.
The tragic case, which has drawn widespread public attention in Ekiti State, came to a close on Thursday with Justice Adekunle Adeleye delivering a verdict that many described as both “painful and necessary.”
According to court documents, the crime occurred after a heated dispute between the siblings, during which Stephen fatally stabbed his brother in the neck.
He was later arraigned on a one-count charge of murder, contrary to Section 234 of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.
Prosecuting counsel, Funmi Bello, told the court that the evidence presented, including the defendant’s confessional statement, an attestation form, and the murder weapon, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing was intentional. She called six witnesses during the trial to strengthen the case.
However, the defence counsel, S.K. Idowu, did not call any witnesses and urged the court to show leniency, arguing that the act was not premeditated.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adeleye stated that the facts of the case clearly showed that Stephen acted with full intent when he stabbed his brother.
“From the entire circumstances, it is evident that the defendant deliberately inflicted the fatal injury that led to the deceased’s death,” the judge ruled.
“I therefore find the defendant guilty as charged and sentence him to death by hanging.”
Speaking after the judgment, a court observer described the case as “a heartbreaking reminder of how anger can destroy family bonds.”
The ruling marks another firm stance by the Ekiti State judiciary in its ongoing effort to curb violent crimes and uphold the rule of law.