The Ikeja High Court in Lagos has delivered a major judgment in a case that has captured national attention for years. Akolade Arowolo, a youth pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering his wife, Titilayo, a banker and mother.

Justice Lateefat Okunu, who presided over the case, gave a detailed ruling lasting more than three hours, explaining that the prosecution successfully proved that Titilayo’s death could not have been self-inflicted. The judge emphasized that the evidence presented by the state, including expert forensic review, pointed directly to Arowolo as the perpetrator.

One of the most crucial pieces of evidence was the testimony of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, a respected pathologist. His forensic findings contradicted Arowolo’s claim that his wife had harmed herself during an episode he described as “spiritual possession.” The court accepted Obafunwa’s conclusion that Titilayo’s injuries were inconsistent with self-harm, supporting the prosecution’s argument of intentional killing.

Additional testimony came from family members of the deceased, including her father, George Oyakhire; her sister, Ijeh; and her mother, Mrs. Adetoun Yeside Oyakhire. They painted a picture of a troubled marriage marked by frequent disputes. According to them, the couple’s relationship had deteriorated to the point where relatives often intervened to settle their conflicts.

Although none of the family members witnessed the events on the day Titilayo died, their accounts of the couple’s ongoing problems supported the prosecution’s narrative that the marriage was volatile.

Other key witnesses included Arowolo’s co-tenant, Adewale Adeyemi. He testified that he heard a loud, disturbing noise on the day of the incident and later saw Arowolo emerge from their apartment with an injury. Adeyemi also described seeing objects in the compound that raised further suspicion. Additional testimonies from a security guard at the Arowolos’ residence, an Investigating Police Officer, and a telecommunications employee helped establish the timeline of events leading up to the tragedy.

Throughout the trial, Arowolo insisted he did not kill his wife. He maintained that Titilayo had attacked him first, claiming she was influenced by a spiritual force. He also told the court that they had shared affectionate moments earlier in the day, including intimacy and a long conversation.

Arowolo’s parents took the stand to defend him, describing him as a devoted and peaceful young man who would never intentionally harm his spouse. They emphasized his religious commitment and his role as a youth pastor, insisting he was incapable of the crime.

However, the court found significant inconsistencies in his explanation, especially when compared to the forensic expert’s account and the testimonies from neighbors and family members.

Immediately after the verdict was delivered, Arowolo broke down in tears in the courtroom, reportedly praying and calling for divine mercy.

The case, which began years ago, drew widespread media attention due to its combination of religious leadership, domestic conflict, conflicting stories, and the involvement of expert forensic analysis. It also sparked national conversations about domestic violence, mental health claims in criminal cases, and the responsibility of religious leaders in personal conduct.

With the final judgment now delivered, Justice Okunu concluded that the prosecution presented sufficient, convincing evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The sentence marks a dramatic end to a trial long followed by the public and justice observers.