Social media users yesterday called on Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to sign the death warrant of three individuals sentenced to death for the murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola, and their son, Oreoluwa.

The Ogun State High Court, sitting in Kobape, Abeokuta, had on Monday sentenced Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi to death by hanging for the heinous crime committed on January 1, 2023 .

The Fatinoyes were attacked at their Ibara Government Reserved Area (GRA) residence shortly after returning from a New Year crossover service. According to court proceedings, their driver, Adekanbi, led the assailants to break into the house at about 2:00 a.m.

The attackers killed the couple, set their bodies and house on fire, and tied up their son, Oreoluwa, alongside an adopted son, before throwing them into the Ogun River. While Oreoluwa drowned, the adopted son miraculously survived.

Delivering judgment, Justice Basirat Adebowale held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She declared: “The trio of Adekanbi, Odetola, and Adeniyi, for killing a father, mother, and son, do not deserve mercy. You are hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until you are dead or by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your souls.”

The court also handed down varying sentences to other accomplices. Temitope Fadairo, Adekanbi’s wife, received two years imprisonment for harbouring her husband, while his mother, Adenike Adekanbi, was sentenced to one year for providing false statements to the police. Azeez Usman, a welder who dismantled the stolen vehicle, was sentenced to 14 years for receiving stolen property, while Anuoluwapo Owolaja was sentenced to two years. Two others, Abass Odetola and Lukmon Adewusi, were discharged of all charges.

During the trial, Chief State Counsel, Adefisoye Temilola, detailed the events leading to the murders. The defendants, armed with a gun, hammer, and cutlass, robbed Mr Fatinoye of N1.102 million and a Hyundai vehicle valued at N12 million. Mrs Fatinoye was also robbed of phones worth N1 million. The attack culminated in Kehinde Fatinoye being slaughtered with a knife by Adeniyi, while Adekanbi struck Bukola with a sledgehammer.

Social media users called on Governor Abiodun, to ensure swift justice. Many expressed concern that condemned criminals often remain on death row for years, sustained by taxpayers’ money, while justice is delayed.

A Facebook user, Otunba Smart Adeleke Al-Makura, wrote: “All executive governors should sign the papers of those on death row rather than keeping them in correctional centres, wasting taxpayers’ money to feed them. Governor Dapo Abiodun should sign this sharp-sharp to decongest the correctional facilities. These criminals don’t deserve to be alive.”

Another user, Taiwo Samson Enitan, praised the judiciary and urged immediate action: “Thanks to the judiciary system. To reduce criminal activities in our society, the death warrant of these murderers should be signed immediately. This will not only lower crime rates but also instil fear in those who have similar criminal intentions.”

Similarly, Ya’u Ibrahim noted that the failure to enforce capital punishment contributes to rising crime rates. “Governors don’t sign death warrants. If people were hanged or shot after being sentenced, the desperate pursuit of wealth through crime would drastically reduce,” he said.

Olusegun Makavelli Shakur called for swift action: “I hope the governor quickly signs this to serve as a deterrent. We cannot afford to pamper such heinous crimes.” Titilayo O. Jagun and Samson Taiwo also echoed these sentiments, urging Governor Abiodun to act without delay.

Olusegun Fatoyinbo, who claimed to have followed the case from the beginning, described the murder as barbaric and criticised the lack of enforcement of death sentences.

“That’s a very good judgment. I followed the case from the start. The way these criminals killed the couple and their son was barbaric. I don’t understand why all Nigerian governors refuse to sign death warrants. The constitution should be amended to empower state chief judges to authorise executions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice is served. Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated that the administration would not hesitate to enforce the court’s ruling.

“The state government will not hesitate to ensure that those who have been condemned to death really get what they deserve,” Akinmade said, emphasising that failure to enforce capital punishment could embolden criminals. He assured the public that the government was aware of the concerns and reiterated its dedication to upholding justice.

“If those sentenced to life imprisonment or death are not made to face justice, it will create room for others with similar criminal tendencies to thrive, thinking that after committing a capital offence, they might only end up in jail. The people’s interest should be the government’s priority at this critical time,” he added.