Nigerians on social media have urged the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to sign the death warrant of Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi who were sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola Fatinoye, and their son, Oreoluwa on January 1, 2023.
TheNewsGuru recalls that the Fatinoye family was attacked in their Ibara GRA residence shortly after returning from a New Year crossover service. Led by their driver, Lekan Adekanbi, the assailants broke into the house around 2 a.m., killed the couple, and set both their bodies and the house on fire.
The attackers also tied up their son, Oreoluwa, along with an adopted son, before throwing them into the Ogun River. While Oreoluwa tragically drowned, the adopted son miraculously survived.
Following of the suspects’ arrest and arraingment, the Ogun State High Court sitting in Kobape, Abeokuta, on Monday, sentenced the trio to death for their crime.
Following the verdict, Nigerians called Abiodun to ensure a swift justice for the victims. Many citizens argue that condemned criminals often remain on death row for years, sustained by taxpayers’ money while justice remains incomplete.
Public Outcry For Immediate Execution
A Facebook user, Otunba Smart Adeleke Al-Makura, voiced his frustration, writing:
“All executive governors should sign the papers of those on death row rather than keeping them in correctional centers, 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 but stressed the need for swift implementation:
“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 instill fear in those who have similar criminal intentions.”
Similarly, Ya’u Ibrahim argued 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.”
Emphasizing the need for urgency, Com. Olusegun Makavelli Shakur stated:
“I hope the governor quickly signs this to serve as a deterrent. We cannot afford to pamper such heinous crimes.”
Samson Taiwo echoed this sentiment, urging:
“The governor should sign their death warrant immediately. They don’t deserve to live.”
Another user, Titilayo O. Jagun, directly called on the governor:
“Gov. Dapo Abiodun, please sign their death warrant as soon as it gets to you.”
Olusegun Fatoyinbo, who claimed to have followed the case from the beginning, described the murder as barbaric and criticized 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 authorize executions.”