Posted by By NGOZI UWUJARE and HAMMED BODUNRIN, Osogbo on
Last Saturday, June 4, 2005 was a terrible day for the people of Adeeke Kajola area of Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State with every resident and visitor scampering for safety.
Last Saturday, June 4, 2005 was a terrible day for the people of Adeeke Kajola area of Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State with every resident and visitor scampering for safety.
Prince Sunday Adedoyin, a 63 -years old letter writer and an Estate Agent did not have any premonition of what was awaiting him. He had gone to see his uncle in Ibadan and came back to Iwo, in Osun State not knowing he had made his last journey to say farewell. Moment after his safe journey back home, he was hacked to death in the broad day light by a furious husband, Matthew Ahungur who accused Adedoyin of having illicit affair with his (the killer's) wife!
He severed Adedoyin's two wrists from his body. The deceased died before reasonable help could come, as witnesses had to first take to their heels on seeing a rampaging man with a cutlass, which he had already used.
Journey to disaster
Adedoyin had been appointed legal adviser by a group of Benue State indigenes in Iwo - Utyondu Progressive Association (UPA), Benue State, Iwo Branch".
Matthew who is now in Police net with his wife is also a member of that association. Saturday Sun learnt that the relationship between Matthew and Adedoyin got sour when the suspect accused the deceased of having love affair with his wife. Besides, it was gathered that on February 25, Matthew and his wife, Felicia had borrowed N4,000 from the deceased when the going was good. The couple borrower the money and signed an agreement to pay back on March 30.
While the suspect insisted that he had paid the money, the deceased's son Dele alleged his father was killed by Matthew in order not to refund the money.
However, Matthew alleged that he had warned Adedoyin several times to steer clear of his wife but the deceased would not heed the warning. On the fateful day he sighted Adedoyin at his (suspect's) wife's shop and demanded what he wanted. Apparently not satisfied with whatever explanation the deceased might have offered, he brought out a cutlass and moved to deal a blow. The deceased who was said to have raised his hands to block the cutlass had his two wrists chopped off.
In the pandemonium that ensured, the deceased reportedly collapsed as he made attempt to run. He died before any meaningful help could come.
Counter Claims
However, the trio of the deceased's son Dele, the witness to the borrowed money, Mr. Musibau Atanda and a traditional Chief of Olupona where Adedoyin hailed from insisted he was killed by the couple debtors to escape repayment of the N4,000 (four thousand) loan.
Dele who produced a copy of the agreement signed by Matthew and his wife, the deceased and the witness explained that Matthew took such horrible step to avoid a repayment of the loan in question having failed to comply with the March 30 deadline.
"My father had nothing to do with his wife. He lent them money and wanted to collect it back as agreed and he killed him. He was the legal adviser to the Iwo Branch of Utyondu Progressive Association and had been there for more than a year". Dele said.
He explained further that "my father travelled to Ibadan to see his uncle and he came back to Iwo around 4:30. He was at home when the secretary of UPA came to call him for a meeting. When they got to Mr. Matthew's wife's shop (where she sells palm wine), my father kept asking for when the meeting would start and he was given a bottle of guilder. He was still there when Matthew appeared and started accusing my father of infidelity with his wife.
My father was embarrassed and before he could recover from the embarrassment, matter had cut his too hands leading to his death.
Matthew's Convincing Confession
"Yes, I killed him, he was flirting with my wife and I warned him". These were the words of Matthew who spoke to Daily Sun at the State Crime Investigation Department at Ayetoro in Osogbo, the state capital where he was detained with his wife.
Still boiling with anger, Matthew said "Prince Sunday Adedoyin had been having fun with my wife outside our wedlock. I have caught him several times with my wife in the shop and he would tell me he was going to marry my wife. I informed several people over what he was doing I have warned him to stay away. Again on Saturday June 4, 2005, I was going out and met Prince Adedoyin. He told me he was going to my wife's shop I warned him not to step into the shop. I thought it was a joke, when I got to the shop, I saw him sitting besides my wife. I became angry, picked my cutlass and cut his two hands.
Matthew explained that "when I cut him I went to the Police to report myself. It is true I used cutlass on him and I did not deny this because I went to the police with blood soaked cutlass. It is also true that I owed him N4, 000 but I had paid. Prince Adedoyin was a womanizer, everybody knows. He loved to sleep with other men's wives ".
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Iwo Local Government, Hon. Rasaki Salawu described the development as terrible. " I have told the Police to investigate the issue properly and take appropriate actions" he said adding he was informed about the claims that led to the attacks and subsequent death of Adedoyin".
When contacted, the state Police commissioner, Alhaji Audu Abubakar said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the police conclude its investigations.