Domestic violence: Lagos Judge sentences man to death

Justice Lawal Akapo of Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced Sulaiman Olalekan to death by hanging, for the murder of Chika Egbo, on 20th November 2012 in a case of domestic violence.

In delivering the judgement, Akapo expressed the belief that the murder of Chika Egbo by the accused, Sulaiman, was premeditated as the accused poured acid on his wife, having become overwhelmed by the fact that the deceased went back to prostitution against his best advice.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, who was lead prosecuting Counsel in the case, commended the Court for the pronouncement, saying the judgment is a victory in the fight against domestic violence and for victims of such act.

He disclosed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration is determined to eradicate the scourge of domestic violence in the State through the implementation of appropriate policies and punishment for perpetrators.

The Commissioner recalled the sad incident which culminated to the death sentence today, had occurred four years ago when Sulaiman met the deceased while she was working as a commercial sex worker at Signal Hotel in Ijeshatedo area of Lagos State; they started a relationship that resulted in marriage.

However, the deceased reneged on her commitment to the marriage by returning to prostitution, which caused Sulaiman to pour acid on her resulting in her death.