A man named Okekenu Gbadebo allegedly punched a 37-year-old relative, Adebayo Gbenro, to death in the Ijemo-Agbadu area, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when an argument was said to have broken out between the deceased and Gbadebo while making arrangements for their late father’s burial ceremony at their family house in Ìjemò-Agbadu.

A police source who was privy to the matter when it was reported at the Oke-Itoku Divisional Police Headquarters but spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the case, stated that Gbadebo was said to have punched the deceased in the chest following the heated argument.

Also, the victim’s sister, identified as Bose Ajani, was said to have told the police, according to a police document sighted by The PUNCH on Monday, that the deceased collapsed shortly after he was punched in the chest.

READ ALSO: Court Orders Man’s Arrest In Wife, Child Neglect Case

The incident was said to have thrown the family members who had gathered for the burial party which was slated for the next day, into a state of pandemonium and chaos.

“The family members gathered to prepare for the final burial of their late father, scheduled to take place on Sunday. But while the arrangements were ongoing, there was an argument between Gbadebo and Gbenro.

“Nobody thought it could degenerate into a fight. It was unexpected when Gbadebo suddenly hit Gbenro in the chest. Gbenro immediately slumped as a result of the punch and was rushed down to a hospital, where he was declared dead by a doctor on duty,” the cop stated.

While confirming the incident to The PUNCH correspondent via a WhatsApp message on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said Gbadebo was arrested shortly after the matter was reported at a police station.

READ ALSO: Man Bags 14 Years Imprisonment For Sodomizing 12 year-old Boy In Bauchi

She said, “The victim and suspect are relatives. They went for a burial ceremony at their family house in Abeokuta. It was during the arrangements for the burial that an argument ensued between the duo. Gbadebo reportedly hit the deceased in the chest, who collapsed immediately after.

“He was rushed to Ijaye General Hospital where he was subsequently confirmed dead. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. In the meantime, we have arrested the suspect, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.”

In 2018, a 32-year-old man named, Julius Oliseh, was said to be arrested by the command for allegedly stabbing 23-year-old Isikilu Shittu to death at a burial party in Mowe community in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO: Imo Police Nab Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Recover Snatched Vehicle

An argument, it was gathered, had ensued between Oliseh and Shittu, before the suspect reportedly broke a bottle and stuck it in Shittu’s neck, which led to his death.

The erstwhile command spokesperson, Oyeyemi Abimbola, said, “Akeem reported that he was at a burial party with his brother in Ogunru village via Mowe when an argument ensued between the suspect and his late brother over an undisclosed minor matter.

“Consequently, he said the suspect broke a bottle and stabbed the victim in the neck, and he died on the spot.”

Justice Mu’azu Abubakar of the Bauchi State High Court 5 has sentenced a 39 year-old Sa’idu Mohammed to 14 years imprisonment for sodomizing a 12 year-old boy, Mas’ud Abbas.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mr SM Toro told the court that the suspect had on June 16, 2022 lured the victim to a river along Yelwa community and forcefully had homosexual intercourse with him.

According to him, Mohammed had committed an offense contrary to Section 10 and punishable under section 11 of the anti-Kidnapping, theft of cattle and Rape Special Provision Laws of Bauchi State B.S.L.N. No. 8 of 2007.

READ ALSO: Traditional Ruler In Zaria Arrested For Allegedly Sodomising 14 Years Old Boy

He said that the offense als contravened Section 13 of the Anti-Kidnapping, Theft of Cattle and Rape Special Provision Laws of Bauchi State B.S.L.N. No. 8 of 2007 and triable by the Honorable court.

Shortly before delivering the judgment, Mohammed pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering his verdict, Justice Abubakar said, “I hereby sentence you to 14 years imprisonment starting from the day of your arrest with an option fine of N100,000”.

A middle-aged man on Monday lost his life in a tragic incident while attempting to vandalize a transformer belonging to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The unidentified individual had managed to cut some cables in the transformer located along Airport Road in the Benin metropolis before being fatally electrocuted.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, drew the attention of bystanders who were shocked by the scene unfolding before them.

READ ALSO: Court Orders Man’s Arrest In Wife, Child Neglect Case

Passers-by who were drawn to the scene early morning, expressed anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area.

It was a grim confirmation of their suspicions as the thief met his death.

A resident of the area, Mr. Emmanuel attributed the tragic outcome to a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality of the youths.

READ ALSO: Man Jailed 27 Years For Stealing N2.3m In Ekiti

He emphasized the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living to avoid such untimely deaths.

Reacting, the Acting Head of Corporate Communications, BEDC Evelyn Gbiwen, said the incident underscored the dangers of energy theft and vandalism.

She lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

She said despite repeated warnings from the company, such acts persist, leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure.

Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals.