The three New Year’s Day killers of Mr. Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola, and their only son, Oreoluwa were on Monday sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal murders.
Justice Basirat Adebowale of an Abeokuta High Court, Ogun State, found the trio guilty of nine counts, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The convicts — Lekan Adekanbi, the family’s former driver, along with Ahmed Odetola and Waheed Adeniyi—committed the crime on January 1, 2023.
They were first arraigned in February 2024 alongside six others, including Adekanbi’s wife, Temitope Fadairo, and his mother, Adenike Adekanbi.
The defendants faced a 24-count charge, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder, arson, and perverting the course of justice.
Despite pleading not guilty, Justice Adebowale found them guilty of nine counts, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The evidence is overwhelming,” Adebowale stated. “For killing father, mother, and son, you do not deserve mercy. You shall be hanged by the neck until you die or executed by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your souls.”
Other defendants received varying sentences. Temitope Fadairo was sentenced to two years in prison for aiding her husband’s escape, while Adenike Adekanbi received a one-year sentence for providing false information to the police.
Azeez Usman, the welder who dismantled the stolen Hyundai vehicle, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Anuoluwapo Owolaja also received a two-year jail term, while two other suspects—Abass Odetola and Lukman Adewusi—were discharged.
During the trial, prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Adefisoye Temilola told the court that Adekanbi orchestrated the attack, conspiring with Odetola and Adeniyi to rob and kill the Fatinoye family.
Armed with a gun, hammer, and cutlass, the trio stole N1.102 million from Mr. Fatinoye and his Hyundai vehicle worth N12 million. They also took Mrs. Fatinoye’s phones valued at N1 million.
The court heard how Adeniyi slit Mr. Fatinoye’s throat while Adekanbi bludgeoned Mrs. Fatinoye with a sledgehammer before slitting her throat.
To cover their tracks, they set the house on fire and abducted Oreoluwa, tied his hands and legs before throwing him into the Ogun River, where he drowned.
The judgment brings closure to a case that sent shock waves through Ogun State, exposing the depths of betrayal and brutality that led to the Fatinoye family’s tragic end.
