Oyo High Court Sentences Five Men to Death by Hanging for the Murder of a Taxi Driver Following Fatal Road Incident

An Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, delivered a stern judgment against five men, sentencing all of them to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a taxi driver in the state capital.

The five convicts were found guilty of charges including conspiracy to commit murder and the substantive offense of murder, following a trial that spanned several months.

The case, which had drawn significant public attention, detailed how the unfortunate incident escalated from a minor road disagreement in Ibadan. The altercation ultimately led to the fatal assault and death of the deceased taxi driver, whose identity was withheld by the court to protect the grieving family.

Zero Tolerance for Violent Crime

In delivering the judgment, the presiding judge emphasized that the prosecution had proved the charges against the five defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge stated that the maximum penalty was necessary to reflect the gravity of the offense and serve as a severe deterrent to other individuals who might resort to deadly violence over minor disagreements.

The murder charge, which contravenes sections of the Criminal Code Act, mandates the ultimate penalty of death by hanging. The judgment reinforces the Oyo State Judiciary’s resolve to stamp out violent crime and ensure that all perpetrators face the full weight of the law, regardless of the circumstances that triggered the incident.

Legal analysts note that the swift and decisive judgment sends a clear message that the state will not tolerate road rage or disputes that lead to the taking of human life. The convicts have a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal.