JUST IN; Court sentences Imam to death by hanging

JUST IN;Court sentences Imam to death by hanging

Kabiru Ibrahim, an Islamic cleric in Osun State, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his client, Lukman Adeleke.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Lateef Adegoke at the Osun State High Court in Iwo, where Ibrahim was found guilty of conspiracy, murder, and theft offences punishable under Sections 324, 319(1), and 390 of the Osun State Criminal Code.

A statement from Opeyemi Bello, Information Officer of the Osun State Ministry of Justice, revealed that the lead prosecutor, Abiodun Badiora, told the court that Ibrahim acted as a spiritual consultant to the deceased.

He said Adeleke had approached the cleric for spiritual guidance ahead of a planned land purchase, but went missing shortly after giving Ibrahim the money for the transaction.

The court heard that Adeleke had informed the cleric of his intention to purchase a plot of land, and Ibrahim requested the money be brought to him for a spiritual cleansing or overnight prayer before finalizing the transaction.

Adeleke was never seen alive again after handing over the money.

Following his disappearance, Adeleke’s family launched a search and discovered that he was last seen visiting the cleric for the scheduled prayer session.

This led to Ibrahim’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Justice Adegoke ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Ibrahim was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for theft and death by hanging for the murder of Adeleke.