Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
High Court Judicial Commissioner Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the accused, Cheong Teik Keon, was found guilty of killing Tan Ching Chin, 24, a clerk, was accused of committing the offence against Tan at her home at No. 2703, Taman Hwa Seng, Jalan Rozhan, Alma, in Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia, at about 8.40am on Feb 14, 2013.
In sending Cheong to the gallows, Collin said the defence had failed to prove that Cheong was of unsound mind at the time of the offence.
Ramkarpal stood up at the end of the judgement to protest the death sentence for his client and said he would file an appeal.
In sending Cheong to the gallows, Collin said the defence had failed to prove that Cheong was of unsound mind at the time of the offence.
"An email written by Cheong five hours before the incident showed that he was not of unsound mind, and I am unable to find the accused's mind so impaired as to not be able to differentiate between what is wrong and what is right. There is no other option in this case than to pass a sentence of mandatory death," he said in a lengthy judgement.Clad in a long-sleeved white shirt, trousers and slippers, Cheong appeared subdued in the dock when a court interpreter conveyed the judgement to him. He was represented by Ramkarpal Singh and Muhammad Arif Shaharuddin.
Ramkarpal stood up at the end of the judgement to protest the death sentence for his client and said he would file an appeal.
Source: New Straits Times
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