37-year-old man beats his 20-year-old cousin to death for eating Christmas rice

The police in Ogun State have arrested a 37-year-old man, Kayode Olubunmi, for allegedly flogging his cousin to death on Christmas Day.

Olubunmi was said to have allegedly flogged 20-year-old Haruna Adeoye to death for eating up a bowl of cooked rice earlier given to him (Olubunmi) by a friend.

Adeoye said to be an orphan was alleged to have eaten the rice while Olubunmi was away from home – contrary to his uncle’s earlier instruction that it should be reserved for dinner.

The police claimed that Olubunmi, who returned home drunk, was infuriated by his cousin’s effrontery and while meting out corporal punishment to Adeoye, it resulted in his death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, explained that the tragedy occurred last December 25 at Ajegunle, Ita-Oluwo, Ogijo, in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state at about 10.30pm.

Adejobi said, “ When the suspect, who went on a visit to his friends’ place, came back drunk, he flogged the deceased to death with a stick for eating the rice he instructed him to keep for their dinner.

“Haruna was an orphan who had been staying with the suspect for years and Olubunmi could not state why he killed him.

“He (suspect) has confessed to the crime, he is with us at SCID Eleweran and will soon appear in court.”