A Lagos man, Akinwale Akinlabi, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Ikeja High Court for causing the death of his wife, Tope, during a domestic altercation.
The incident occurred on February 2, 2020, in the Ijaiye Ojojoro area of Lagos. Tope sustained a fatal head injury after hitting the edge of a table when Akinlabi pushed her during a disagreement over the volume of a radio.
Akinlabi faced charges of manslaughter brought by the Lagos State Government. He pleaded not guilty, but Justice Oyindamola Ogala found the prosecution’s case convincing, ruling that the evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that Akinlabi’s unlawful actions led to his wife’s death.
In her judgment delivered on Monday, November 25, 2024, Justice Ogala stated:
“The prosecution has established the ingredients of the offence of manslaughter. The fatality arose from the violence between the convict and his wife, though the death was unintentional.”
The judge noted that scars found on the deceased corroborated witness testimonies, further strengthening the case against Akinlabi.
Taking into account the circumstances of the case and the defense counsel’s plea, Justice Ogala sentenced Akinlabi to 12 years imprisonment, with the term starting from February 3, 2020, when he was first detained.
The tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic disputes turning violent.