Redeemed pastor convicted of murder •To die by the noose

LAGOS – A youth pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Akolade Arowolo, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his banker wife, Titilayo.

Titilayo worked with Skye bank.

Prosecutors presented compelling evidence that led to the conviction of Mr Arowolo and his sentence by Justice Lateefat Okunu of the Ikeja High Court.

Justice Okunu held in her over three hours judgment that evidence before the court proved that Arowolo actually murdered his wife in their matrimonial home.

The Justice relying on forensic report from Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, a pathologist, held that there was no way the deceased could have stabbed herself to death.

Immediately after the judgment, Arowolo fell down in the dock and started shouting “Jesus have mercy.”

Judiciary reporters who covered the case said Prof Obafunwa testified that his autopsy report revealed that Titilayo was killed through 76 knife stab wounds.

There were claims by Pastor Arowolo, suggesting that his wife was possessed and inflicted injuries on herself.

The report notes that the knife wounds affected Titilayo’s left eye, right eye, upper chest area, right chest and collar bone.

Prof. Obafunwa pointed out in his testimony that the deceased could not have inflicted such wounds on herself.

The prosecutor invited some of Titilayo’s family members who testified that Arowolo and Titilayo had always had a troubled marriage.

The family members included Titilayo’s father, George Oyakhire; sister, Ijeh and mother-in-law, Mrs Adetoun Yeside Oyakhire.

The three witnesses testified that the couple lived a cat and mouse life. They claimed that the family had at several times, settled serious fights between the couple.

None of the witnesses claimed to have seen what actually happened on the day Titilayo died.

Arowolo’s co-tenant, Adewale Adeyemi also gave evidence in the case.

Adeyemi in his evidence said that on the day of the incident he heard a loud noise when he was in his apartment and later saw Arowolo rushing out with a deep cut in his palms.

He claimed to have also seen a hammer and a knife with a broken handle in the yard.

Other witnesses including a security man at the Arowolos’ residence, Investigating Police Officer and a staff of MTN also gave evidence in the case.

Pastor Arowolo has however maintained his plea of innocence.