By Agboola Bayo
Ibadan
A 29-year-old lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for unlawfully causing the death of her 38-year-old husband, Lowo Oyediran.
Justice Munta Abimbola of Court 1, Oyo State High Court, yesterday, sentenced the lawyer, working with the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, after finding her guilty of manslaughter.
Yewande was arraigned before Justice Abimbola in February 2016, on an amended charge, which read: “That you Yewande Oyediran ‘F’, on the 2nd day of February 2016, at about 6.10am at No 30, Abidi Odan, Akobo Area Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District, did unlawfully cause the death of one Oyelowo Oyediran ‘M’ aged 38 years by stabbing him with knife on the neck, which later resulted to his death thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo state”
She had pleaded not guilty to the charge and hearing had continued in the matter for almost two years within which the prosecution called nine witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits while the defense called seven witnesses and tendered 16 exhibits.
While ruling on the matter, Justice Abimbola held that the issues for determination are whether the evidence of Chief Adelodun and his wife, Esther, is credible enough to be believed.
Also, whether the charge was proved with mathematical precision and whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Yewande was responsible for stabbing her husband but failed to prove that the act was premeditated.
Justice Abimbola noted that there was no way a squabble between a husband and his wife, who were living together, would be taken as premeditated murder as it was a spontaneous fight.
Responding to Defense Counsel, Leye Adepoju, plea for his client to be except from incarceration, he held that the convict should have considered that she is a legal practitioner, who should know better especially after the first incident that led the husband for treatment in the hospital.
Findings, he argued had revealed that the deceased was not aggressive at the time and had been given an injection that weakened him, adding that couple needs to know they cannot mould each other from what they are.
In his final words, Justice Abimbola stated that, “having considered the plea of leniency by the defense counsel and all the circumstances put forward by the defendant, I shall be lenient.
“The defendant is hereby sentenced to seven years in prison and the terms of her imprisonment commence s from the day of her arrest.”
