A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital has sentenced a middle-aged woman, Mrs Toyin Olusa, to one year imprisonment for causing the death of her husband, Mr Adeyinka Olusa.
The late Olusa who was a former auditor at the School of Health Technology, Akure who died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State in 2017, was said to have died in a controversial manner.
The death of Olusa was said to have generated controversy between the accused and the relatives of the deceased, accusing her of pouring hot water on her sick husband.
The family of the deceased alleged that the hot water poured on the man aggravated his sickness and eventually resulted in his death.
The wife of the late auditor, Toyin, was said to have poured the hot water on the deceased to revive him when he became unconscious during the illness but the family alleged that hot water caused severe burnt on the body of the deceased, which eventually resulted into his death.
The widow was, however, arraigned before the court on one count charge of assault occasioning harm, the offence which was contrary to and punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.”
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant deliberately poured hot water on the deceased causing him(deceased) severe bodily harm, particularly to his mouth, chest, hands, thighs and legs.
However, the defendant said she did not commit the offence, saying she poured the hot tea on the deceased to revive him when he was unconscious.
After series of arguments before the court, the prosecuting counsel and the defence counsel, Mr Femi Emodamori and Mr Shola Agunloye respectively, the court held that the defendant committed the office, saying the prosecutor was able to prove his case beyond doubt.
The defendant however pleaded with the court to be lenient with her, saying she did not kill her husband and said “I am appealing with the court to have mercy on me for the sake of my children, I did not kill my husband.” Toyin pleaded
In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs Ruth Olomilua sentenced the widow to one-year imprisonment with an option of a fine of N200,000.
She said, “The prosecutor had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and the defendant is guilty of the offence. The defendant is hereby sentenced to one imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000.”
