A chilling tale of infidelity, revenge and ritualistic violence emerged at the Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, as prosecutors detailed how a 35-year-old man, Sunday Sojunu, allegedly orchestrated the brutal murder and dismemberment of his wife’s lover.
Sojunu, along with an alleged accomplice, Dare Sampson, faces three counts of murder and kidnapping following the death of 45-year-old Ayoola Bello.
The court heard that the chain of events began on TikTok, where Sojunu’s wife, Toyin, a content creator, met the victim. According to Police Prosecutor ASP Kehinde Olatunde, Toyin traveled to Ijebu-Ode in September to spend two days with Bello under the guise of a business trip to the Benin Republic.
The situation took a dark turn when both Toyin and her husband fell mysteriously ill shortly after her return. Attributing their persistent ailments to her infidelity, Toyin reportedly confessed the affair to her husband in a desperate bid for “spiritual” healing.
Driven by vengeance, Sojunu allegedly forced his wife to lure Bello to their residence in Ikorodu. Waiting for him was a “notorious hitman” hired by the husband.
The prosecution detailed a harrowing ordeal for the victim. Bello was bound and tortured, with the defendants allegedly demanded a N200,000 ransom from his family while he was held captive.
He was later forced to ingest a lethal substance.
After his death, the defendants allegedly dismembered the body, packing the limbs and torso into separate sacks before transporting them by motorcycle to be dumped in a river at Adamo Junction.
The defendants were arrested on December 8 following a police investigation. The charges brought against them fall under Sections 165, 222, and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015). Notably, Section 222 carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Magistrate Mrs. O. O. Adeosun did not take pleas from the defendants. She ordered that the men be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Facility and the woman at Kirikiri, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The case has been adjourned until January 21, 2026.
