On Wednesday, March 27, an FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja, handed down a four-year prison sentence to Ayedun Makanjuola for fatally running over his wife, Adenike Ayedun, a World Bank employee.
The prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, informed the court that Makanjuola had reversed his vehicle and struck his wife, resulting in her death on May 7, 2021, in Gwagwalada, following a dispute between them.
Justice Angela Otaluka determined that the deceased wife’s actions were provocative when she threw her husband’s food and a stone at the rear windscreen of his car while he attempted to drive away.
Justice Angela noted that she did not view Makanjuola’s decision to reverse his car as a retaliation, but rather as a loss of control over his emotions.
“It was not a deliberate action, but rather spontaneous. The prosecution has not demonstrated the defendant’s intent, but has established the offense of culpable homicide,” she stated.
“I find the defendant guilty of culpable homicide not punishable by death and convict him.”
The defense counsel, Kolade Adeboyega, informed the court that the defendant was a responsible individual who had been planning to bring their two children home with his wife before the incident.
Adeboyega urged the court to consider the well-being of the children, who were currently in the care of their grandmother.
However, Justice Angela sentenced the defendant to four years in prison, including the two years and ten months he had already served, citing Sections 222 and 224 of the Penal Code.