CaseLaw
Rufai V. State (2001) CLR 7(t) (SC)
Judgement delivered on July 13th 2001
Brief
Facts
The appellant Isiaka Rufai, Alhaja Asiawu Abonko and Yinusa Osolale were arraigned before the High Court Oyo State and sitting at Ibadan, they were jointly charged with the murder of Bolape Olalekan on or about the 3rd day of June, 1989.
At the end of the trial before Aderemi, J, he concluded as follows:- “In sum, having regard to all the circumstances of the case and the totality of the evidence adduced by the prosecution, I find solidly proved beyond reasonable the charge of murder against the 1st accused only, and I hereby find him alone guilty of the murder of Bolape Olalekan at Ibadan on the 3rd of June, 1989.”
The two other accused persons charged along with appellant, Alhaja Asiawu Abonko and Yinusa Osuolale, having been found not guilty, were discharged and acquitted.The appellant appealed against his conviction to the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division which, at the end of the hearing unanimously dismissed the appeal and confirmed his conviction by the trial court.
The appellant has now further appealed to this court against the Court of Appeal judgement.