Islamic Cleric Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Killing Client

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An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo has sentenced an Islamic cleric, Kabiru Ibrahim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 25-year-old client, Lukman Adeleke.

Ibrahim, an Alfa (Islamic cleric), was charged with conspiracy, murder, and theft, contrary to Sections 324, 319(1), and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Laws of Osun State.

Delivering judgment, Justice Lateef Adegoke held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced Ibrahim to death by hanging for murder.

According to a statement from the Information Officer of the Ministry of Justice, Opeyemi Bello, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, 28 May, the prosecution team, led by Abiodun Badiora, told the court that Ibrahim had acted as a spiritual consultant to the deceased.

Badiora explained that the late Adeleke had approached the cleric regarding his intention to purchase a parcel of land.

Ibrahim had asked him to bring the money for an overnight prayer before paying the vendor.

However, after the prayers, Adeleke went missing. During the search for him, the family was informed by an insider that he had last been seen on the day he visited Ibrahim’s residence.

“When the family confronted the cleric, he initially denied seeing the deceased for over two weeks.

“However, a community member contradicted his claim, stating that he had personally taken Adeleke to the cleric’s house the day before the disappearance,” the statement read.

“The matter was reported to the police, and during interrogation, Ibrahim confessed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that he had murdered the deceased.

“He led the authorities to the Ilesa/Akure Expressway, where Adeleke’s remains were discovered inside a sack.

“One of his palms had been severed. Photographic evidence was tendered in court.”

The prosecution called six witnesses and presented several exhibits, including Ibrahim’s extrajudicial confession.

It was also revealed that Ibrahim had stolen ₦300,000 from the deceased on 24 August 2016.

The statement further noted that the defendant’s counsel (name withheld) did not respond to the prosecution’s final written address.

In his judgment, Justice Adegoke found Ibrahim guilty of both murder and theft.

He sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment for theft and death by hanging for murder.