Ekiti Court Sentences Man to Life Imprisonment for Setting Former Boss Ablaze

Olasunkanmi Kareem, a 41-year-old man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ekiti State High Court for attempting to murder his former boss, Omoboriwo Bashiru, by setting him ablaze.

According to the charge sheet, Kareem committed the heinous crime on August 11, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti. The victim, who was Kareem’s former boss and mentor, testified in court that Kareem was his apprentice at his mechanic workshop and that he continued to assist him even after he graduated.

The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented a strong case against Kareem, with four witnesses and evidence including Kareem’s statements, pictures of the victim, and a medical report. Despite testifying in his own defense, Kareem was unable to convince the court of his innocence.

Justice Jubril Aladejana, who delivered the judgment, described Kareem’s actions as “an intentional act of causing grievous bodily harm” and stated that he “does not deserve leniency”. The sentence reflects the severity of the crime and serves as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar acts of violence.