by George Ozalla
The Ikeja High Court has sentenced Redeemed Christian Church of God youth pastor Akolade Arowolo to death after finding him guilty of killing his wife, Titilayo, a banker with Skye Bank. Justice Lateefat Okunu delivered the ruling after a lengthy review of forensic reports and witness statements that placed the responsibility for the killing squarely on Arowolo.
The court relied heavily on the testimony of pathologist Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, whose report indicated that Titilayo suffered multiple stab wounds that could not have been self-inflicted. He told the court that the autopsy revealed extensive injuries, making it impossible for the deceased to have caused them herself.
Family members of the late Titilayo, including her father George Oyakhire, sister Ijeh and mother Adetoun Yeside Oyakhire, testified that the couple had a troubled marriage marked by frequent quarrels. They stated that repeated efforts to settle disputes between the couple had failed, even though none of them witnessed what happened on the day she died.
A co-tenant, Adewale Adeyemi, told the court he heard a loud noise on the day of the incident and later saw Arowolo rushing out with a deep cut on his hand. He also said he saw a hammer and a knife with a broken handle in the compound. Other witnesses, including the residence’s security man, an investigating police officer and an MTN staff member, provided additional evidence that strengthened the prosecution’s case.
Arowolo and his parents insisted he was innocent, describing him as a devout Christian incapable of murder. He claimed his wife was under spiritual influence and inflicted the stab wounds on herself after attacking him, a claim the court rejected in its judgment.
Arowolo broke down in tears after the sentence was pronounced.
