Ondo Court Orders Death by Hanging for Man Who Killed Roommate Over Closing of Door Dispute

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced Sunday Omoniyi to death by hanging for killing his roommate, Michael Oyebanji, during a quarrel over closing a door. Omoniyi was found guilty of stabbing Oyebanji in the chest during the altercation, which occurred on July 23, 2022, at their residence on Canaanland, Ijoka Road in Akure.

Prosecution witness Ismaila Adefaka, the landlord, told the court he heard noises that morning and traced them to the defendant’s room, where he found Oyebanji lying in a pool of blood. He said Omoniyi was holding a bloodstained knife, and the victim was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

Other tenants, Adedeji Gift, Adedugbe Opeyemi, and Aremu Opeyemi, testified that the two men argued about closing the door earlier that morning but had appeared to resolve the matter. Minutes later, they heard Oyebanji shouting and rushed back to see him on the floor with fatal injuries. According to one witness, Omoniyi admitted stabbing Oyebanji in retaliation after being punched.

Police prosecutor Inspector Fisayo Oladepo said the defendant confessed to the crime during interrogation. Delivering judgment, Justice W.R. Olamide ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Omoniyi to death by hanging.