One of the prosecution witnesses, Mrs Opeyemi Stowe, at the ongoing trial of eight suspected rapists and killers of the 300-level student of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Olajide Blessing Omowumi, on Tuesday, narrated how the late student’s lifeless and naked body was found in a sitting room in Tanke area of Ilorin metropolis.
Mrs Stowe, who sobbed uncontrollably while giving her evidence and during cross-examination in court, said that the sight she witnessed was horrific.
In her evidence, Mrs Opeyemi claimed that the late Omowumi was her second cousin, saying that the deceased was living with one Dr Dupe Shittu.
The witness also said that it was the curiosity of Dr Shittu, on the said day, that made the family members launch a search team for the deceased whereabouts when the late Wumi’s phone number was not reachable.
“Dr Shittu called me on that day that Omowumi’s phone number was not reachable. There and then two of Dr Shittu’s kids and I went to their house. When we got there we tried to open the sitting room it seemed to have been locked from inside. Then we went back to our mother’s house which is on the same street. From there Dr Shittu with her kids and I came back with a carpenter who broke the door open.
“When the door was opened, we saw the lifeless body of Wumi on the floor with her face up and her two legs widely opened. Her neck was tied with a towel soaked in blood. Her pant was also by her side. A wrapper was also tied round her neck, We also found a knife on one of the chairs in the sitting room. There was equally a blood-stained pillow beside her body.
“A sheet of paper with an inscription of “no forgiveness from the University of Ilorin,” was placed on her stomach too, while her school Identity card (ID) was also beside her. Her two hands were tied behind her back. Thereafter, we all rushed out of the sitting room. Then Dr Shittu went to report the incident at the police station in the same Tanke.
“When the police officers came, they came with a photographer who took pictures of Wumi. I also took pictures of Wumi with my Samsung Galaxy S9 plus. I equally made some recordings with the phone.
“After all this, the police told Dr Shittu to call for an ambulance.
“The ambulance came with a mortuary attendance and her corpse was taken to Ilorin, Kwara State General Hospital. Medical doctors at the hospital examined her corpse and confirmed her dead. Some days after, her corpse was released to the family members for burial.”
The witness added that she printed the pictures she took by her phone as well as letter of compliance and handed over same to the Department of State Service.
An attempt by the prosecution led by the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Salman Jawondo, to present the photographs and documents as exhibits, was initially opposed by the defence counsel.
But the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Yusuf overrun their objection.
The late Omowumi otherwise known as Wumi was allegedly robbed, raped and murdered by the suspects on June 2nd of this year.
The suspects/defendants are Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Timileyin Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladoja were brought to court for alleged rape, murder and armed robbery.
The first three suspects are standing trial for alleged rape and murder of the 24-year-old student, while the other five are standing trial for the receipt of stolen items.
Nigerian Tribune
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