By George Omagbemi Sylvester
A High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has sentenced Emmanuel Akpan, a 25‑year‑old houseboy, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering his employer. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, following a thorough trial that examined evidence and witness statements presented by the prosecution.
According to the court’s judgment, Akpan was accused of unlawfully killing his employer, identified in court records as Mr. Adegoke, at the residence where he worked in Akure South Local Government Area in 2023. The prosecution established that the murder occurred during a dispute between the defendant and the deceased, leading to grave legal consequences.
In handing down the sentence, the trial judge noted that the evidence showed premeditation and intent, leaving the court with no alternative under Nigerian law but to impose the capital punishment prescribed for murder. Akpan’s defence counsel had pleaded for leniency, citing his age and personal circumstances, but the court maintained that the offence merited the highest penalty.
The judgment underscores Nigeria’s strict legal stance on intentional killing, reaffirming that the judiciary will enforce the law to protect lives and uphold justice. Akpan now has the option to appeal the verdict to a higher court as permitted by law.
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