An Ogun State High Court sitting in Kobape, Abeokuta, on Monday sentenced Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi to death by hanging for the murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola Fatinoye, and their son, Oreoluwa, on January 1, 2023.
Following the judgment, Nigerians have called on Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to immediately sign the death warrant to ensure swift justice.
Many argued that death row inmates remain in prison for years, living off taxpayers’ money while justice remains unfulfilled.
While the court’s ruling was widely welcomed, concerns have emerged over the government’s reluctance to sign execution orders—a trend that has left many death row inmates languishing in correctional facilities indefinitely. Frustrated citizens took to social media to demand immediate action.
A Facebook user, Otunba Smart Adeleke Al-Makura, wrote, “Pls all executive governors of each state should sign the papers of those on death row rather than keeping them in correctional centres, wasting taxpayers’ money to feed them.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun should sign this sharp sharp to decongest the correctional facilities and others on the list. They don’t deserve to be alive.”
Another user, Taiwo Samson Enitan, noted, “Thanks to the judiciary system. To reduce criminal activities in our society, the death warrant of these murderers should be signed. This will not only reduce the crime rate but also put fear in the hearts of others who have the same criminal motives.”
On his part, Ya’u Ibrahim argued that the failure to sign execution orders has contributed to rising crime rates.
Ibrahim stated, “The governors don’t sign the death warrants. If people are hanged or shot dead as judges pass verdicts, the crime of desperation to make money will drastically reduce.”
Similarly, Com. Olusegun Makavelli Shakur talked about urgency, saying, “I wish the governor would quickly sign this to serve as a deterrent to others. We cannot keep pampering deadly cases like this.”
Samson Taiwo echoed the sentiment, stating, “The current governor should please sign their death warrant with immediate effect. They don’t deserve to live.”
Another user, Titilayo O. Jagun, directly addressed the governor, “Gov. Dapo Abiodun, please sign their death warrant anytime it gets to you.”
Olusegun Fatoyinbo, who claimed to have followed the case from the beginning, described the crime as barbaric.
Fatoyinbo wrote, “That’s a very good judgment. I followed the case from the onset. The way these guys killed the couple and their son was very barbaric. I wonder why all the governors in Nigeria refuse to sign the death warrants of condemned criminals.
“The constitution should be reviewed so that the chief judges of each state in Nigeria are empowered to sign death warrants.”
The Fatinoye family members were attacked at their Ibara GRA residence shortly after returning from a crossover service.
Led by their driver, Adekanbi, the assailants broke into the home around 2 am, murdered 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 lost his life, the adopted son miraculously survived.
In a February 2023 interview with journalists, Adekanbi admitted to orchestrating the attack, citing his employers’ refusal to increase his salary or grant him a loan.
“I took the step because the couple refused to increase my salary, and when I approached them for a loan to buy a motorcycle, they didn’t oblige,” he confessed.
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