A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Justice Odey to death by hanging for the murder of 35-year-old Benedict Agara. The incident, which took place on April 3, 2021, at the Jakande Housing Estate, originated from a confrontation between the two men regarding a woman named Amina.
Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay presided over the case, finding Odey guilty of violating Section 222 of the Lagos State Criminal Law. The court heard that Odey utilized a broken bottle to inflict severe injuries on Agara, leading to the victim’s death. Although the prosecution did not provide medical evidence or an eyewitness to the stabbing, the judge concluded that the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to secure a conviction.
During the proceedings, the court dismissed the defense’s argument that the testimony of the investigating police officer, ASP Mariam Ibrahim, constituted hearsay. The judge clarified that evidence provided by an officer regarding their investigative findings is legally admissible. Furthermore, the court emphasized that while medical reports are beneficial in homicide trials, they are not strictly required if other evidence clearly demonstrates the circumstances of death.
Justice Nicol-Clay specifically excluded the defendant’s alleged confessional statement from the record, noting that it was obtained without a video recording or the presence of a legal professional, which violates standard legal requirements. Despite this exclusion, the court maintained that the prosecution successfully met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, establishing that Odey was the only individual responsible for the fatal attack.
