An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo has sentenced Islamic cleric Kabiru Ibrahim to death by hanging for the murder of his client, Lukman Adeleke, who had sought spiritual consultation from him.

Justice Lateef Adegoke, who presided over the case, found Ibrahim guilty of murder and theft after the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court handed the cleric a seven-year jail term for stealing and death by hanging for the murder charge.

According to a statement from the Information Officer of the Ministry of Justice, Opeyemi Bello, Ibrahim was charged with conspiracy, murder, and theft, contrary to Sections 324, 319(1), and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Laws of Osun State.

Details of the Crime

The prosecution, led by Abiodun Badiora, informed the court that Ibrahim was a spiritual consultant to the deceased. Adeleke had approached the cleric about his plans to purchase a plot of land, seeking spiritual guidance before proceeding with the transaction.

The Islamic cleric reportedly instructed Adeleke to bring the money meant for the land purchase for an overnight prayer before paying the vendor. However, Adeleke went missing after this encounter with the cleric.

When the family of the deceased noticed his absence, they organized a search party. During the investigation, they discovered that Adeleke was last seen visiting Ibrahim for prayers, which eventually led to the discovery of the crime.

The court's ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring justice in cases involving breach of trust and violence, particularly when religious figures abuse their positions of authority.

This case has drawn significant attention in Osun State, highlighting concerns about vulnerability when seeking spiritual guidance and the importance of due diligence in financial transactions involving third parties.