Three artisans have been sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal murder of their fellow artisan, Saheed Lawal, in Offa, Kwara State. The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Adebayo Yusuf at the Kwara State High Court No. 8 in Ilorin, marking the conclusion of a highly publicized trial.
The convicts, Isiaka Jimoh, Lekan Ahmed, and Adebayo Saheed—who were all mechanics based in the Amuyo area of Offa—were found guilty of causing the death of Saheed Lawal. The court’s ruling followed a detailed investigation and trial by the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, which had charged the three men with conspiracy and culpable homicide, both of which are punishable by death.
The incident that led to the conviction took place on November 5, 2020, at a mechanic workshop near the Government Day Secondary School in Amuyo, Offa, where all the men worked. According to the charge sheet, the three men had conspired to kill Saheed Lawal after accusing him of stealing motor oil. The prosecution, led by Kwara State’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Akande, presented compelling evidence against the defendants.
The trial began on February 9, 2022, with the three artisans facing a four-count charge that included conspiracy and culpable homicide. They were accused not only of killing Lawal but also of attempting to murder another artisan, Hamzat Ibrahim, by pouring hot red pepper into his ears at the same workshop. The act of cruelty was detailed in the court proceedings, which painted a grim picture of the violence the victims endured at the hands of their fellow workers.
Represented by different lawyers—Barrister Bodunrin Adewole for Isiaka Jimoh, Dr. A.S. Ishola for Lekan Ahmed, and Prince J.O. Ijaodola for Adebayo Saheed—the defendants pleaded their case and denied the charges. They also called three additional witnesses to support their defense. However, the testimonies presented by the prosecution, including eight witnesses, left little doubt about the guilt of the three men.
One of the most significant testimonies came from Dr. O.M. Abdulsalam, the Chief Medical Director at the State General Hospital in Offa, who was called to the witness stand. Dr. Abdulsalam confirmed that Saheed Lawal was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state and was later pronounced dead after a series of medical examinations. His testimony, along with other evidence, played a crucial role in proving that Lawal had died as a direct result of the torture he suffered at the hands of the convicts.
According to the court’s findings, Saheed Lawal, a motor mechanic like his accused killers, was physically tortured by Jimoh, Ahmed, and Saheed after being accused of stealing motor oil. The three men subjected Lawal to severe beating, and as a result, he lost consciousness. Despite being taken to the hospital, he could not survive the injuries inflicted by his fellow artisans.
The court also heard that the defendants had targeted another man, Hamzat Ibrahim, during the same incident. Ibrahim was also tortured by having hot red pepper poured into his ears, but he survived the ordeal. The brutal treatment of both men highlighted the extreme violence exhibited by the convicts in the workshop that day.
In his judgment, Justice Adebayo Yusuf emphasized the credibility of the prosecution’s case, stating that the evidence provided by witnesses was convincing and clear. “I found the evidence provided by the prosecution witnesses to be credible and was convinced beyond reasonable doubt of the defendants’ responsibility for the death of Saheed Lawal,” the judge said.
Justice Yusuf went on to explain that, based on the evidence before the court, it was clear that Jimoh, Ahmed, and Saheed were responsible for the murder. The court’s decision to impose the death sentence was based on the severity of the crime and the fact that the three men had caused the death of a fellow artisan in such a violent manner.
In his closing remarks, Justice Yusuf declared, “Consequently, the three defendants are found guilty of the charges against them and are sentenced to death by hanging. They are to die by hanging until they take their last breath. May God have mercy on them.”
The death sentence has sparked mixed reactions in the community. While some residents of Offa have expressed relief and support for the judgment, believing that justice has been served, others have called for a review of the death penalty, which continues to be a controversial issue in Nigeria. Capital punishment remains a subject of debate, with critics questioning its effectiveness in deterring crime and advocating for alternatives such as life imprisonment.
This case highlights the growing concerns over violence and insecurity in communities across Nigeria, particularly in relation to artisanal workers. The mechanics in Offa, like many others across the country, often work in close-knit, informal settings where conflicts can quickly escalate. The tragic events surrounding Saheed Lawal’s death serve as a grim reminder of the potential for violence in such environments, where personal disputes can spiral into lethal confrontations.
While the three convicts now face the death penalty, the larger issue of violence within Nigeria’s informal labor sectors continues to pose a challenge. Workers in such communities often lack access to formal dispute resolution mechanisms, which can contribute to tensions and, in some cases, violence. Experts argue that addressing these underlying issues requires a concerted effort by both government and local authorities to provide better protections for workers and ensure that justice systems can effectively handle such disputes before they escalate.
The death sentence handed down to Isiaka Jimoh, Lekan Ahmed, and Adebayo Saheed brings an end to a harrowing chapter for the family and friends of Saheed Lawal, who was tragically taken from them at a young age. While the ruling offers a measure of justice, it is also a reminder of the dangers of unchecked violence in informal work settings and the importance of strengthening security and conflict resolution systems at the community level.
