Tizhe Goji, 38, was found guilty of manslaughter and was given a ten-year prison sentence without the possibility of a fine by an Ekiti High Court in Ado Ekiti.
On July 29, 2021, Tizhe Goji was charged with a single count of felony murder and presented before Justice Adeniyi Familoni.
In violation of Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, the defendant murdered one Abayomi Olaoye on November 21, 2021, at the Queens Court Hotel in Ado, Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, according to the charge.
One of the witnesses, Bukola Omorinkoba, told the police that she and other family members, including the dead, traveled to Ise Ekiti for a wedding ceremony and stayed at the Queens Court Hotel in Ado Ekiti.
We were unwinding at the hotel reception around 9:00 p.m. when the defendant and other police officers arrived in a Toyota Hilux Van. As soon as they opened the door, he opened fire on us, striking the deceased and Adebayo Ilori. They were taken to the nearby Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, but were later transferred to the nearby ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, where Abayomi Olaoye was later pronounced dead.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Abigail Aladejare called four witnesses and tendered defendants’ statements and medical report as exhibits.
In his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, the defendant said, I used the riffle to abort a robbery operation the previous day but forgot to prove and close the riffle’s chamber. I was at Queens Court Hotel to celebrate my promotion for my colleagues, on opening the vehicles’ door, the riffle discharged accidentally, I did not do it intentionally, he however called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adeniyi Familoni said, I hold that the prosecution has proved the offence of manslaughter against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
The penalty for this infraction of the law is grave, it is life imprisonment. I will however be lenient by not imposing the maximum punishment.
The defendant is hereby convicted for the offence of manslaughter, contrary to Section 317 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti State, 2012.
‘’ Consequently, the defendant is sentenced 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence is to run from the date of his arrest and detention’’ the judge ruled.
