A 41-year-old man, Olasunkanmi Kareem, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti, for attempting to murder his former employer, Omoboriwo Bashiru, by setting him ablaze.
Kareem was arraigned on November 18, 2024, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, in violation of Section 241 of the Criminal Code of Ekiti State, 2021.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on August 11, 2024, in Ifaki Ekiti.
Bashiru, who testified before the court, narrated that Kareem had once been his apprentice at his mechanic workshop.
Despite completing his training, Bashiru continued to assist him with customer-related issues.
“On that day, he called me around 8 pm about a carburetor I had helped him repair. When I told him I did not have it, he became abusive and threatened to set me ablaze. I did not take his threat seriously,” Bashiru recounted.
He later called Kareem, who directed him to a vulcanizer’s workshop.
“An argument ensued, and unknown to me, he had a gallon of petrol. Since it was dark, I did not see it until he poured it on me.
“I tried to escape, but my body was already on fire. I fell into a drainage before passersby rescued me and put out the fire. I suffered severe burns and was rushed to the hospital,” Bashiru added.
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The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented four witnesses and submitted Kareem’s statements, pictures of the victim, and a medical report as evidence.
Kareem testified in his defense, but did not call any witnesses.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Jibril Aladejana stated that Kareem had lured the victim to a location, ambushed him behind an electric pole, and deliberately set him ablaze.
“The facts before the court show that the defendant deliberately set out to harm the victim. But for the intervention of passersby, the victim would have died.
“This intentional act of causing grievous bodily harm amounts to attempted murder.
“In my view, the defendant does not deserve leniency. He should face the full wrath of the law,” Justice Aladejana declared before sentencing Kareem to life imprisonment.
