On New Year’s Day 2023, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye, along with their son, Oreoluwa, faced a horrifying fate. Two years later, justice for their tragic murder remains uncertain, leaving questions unanswered and their family longing for closure.
The Fatinoye family had welcomed the new year by attending a crossover service at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Unbeknownst to them, their movements were being watched. After returning home to Oba Karunwi Road in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, their joy was cut short.
In the early hours of January 1, their home was invaded by suspected assailants, who robbed them, brutally murdered the couple, and set their house on fire. Their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted son, Felix, were tied up and thrown into a river. While Felix survived, Oreoluwa tragically lost his life.
The prime suspect, Lekan Adekanbi, had been the family’s driver for almost two years. Lekan confessed that frustration over unpaid requests for a salary increase and a loan drove him to plan the crime. He enlisted two accomplices, Ahmed Odetola and Waheed Adeniji, to carry out the robbery.
“I just wanted to collect my money,” Lekan admitted during interrogation. He revealed that his duties extended beyond driving, including household chores and feeding the family’s dog, all for a salary he deemed insufficient.
In February 2023, the suspects were arraigned on multiple charges, including conspiracy, murder, arson, and theft. Initially held at a correctional center, the case was later moved to the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta. As of now, the trial has concluded, and the suspects are awaiting judgment, expected on February 3, 2025.
Two years have passed since the horrific incident, yet justice has not been fully served. The delayed judgment highlights the challenges of the legal system, leaving the memory of the Fatinoye family in a painful limbo.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for swift and fair justice for victims of violent crimes. As the judgment date approaches, the hope remains that justice will finally be delivered.
