John Obafunwa, Chief Forensic Pathologist of Lagos State has disclosed that Engineer Funsho Williams, former gubernatorial aspirant was strangled to death by his assassins.
Obafunwa who is a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the six suspected assassins said his findings were as a result of post mortem examinations on the deceased.
He said he was at the crime scene on July 27, 2006 at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi at 5.30 p.m. following a call which informed him about the death.
“I saw the body of a middle-aged man, identified by the family, having his hands tied and lying face down in a pool of blood on a dagger, wrapped with a newspaper.
“I covered the hands and taped it with a paper to prevent a foreign DNA, which may occur during the movement of the body, so as not to affect forensic investigations.
“I noticed that the room was scattered along with two other rooms which I checked before the body was moved to Creek Military Hospital and I left the hospital at midnight.
“During the post-mortem examination, myself and two other pathologists at Creek Hospital discovered a cut on the deceased’s forehead and bruises around his neck,” he said.
Obafunwa, while describing his findings, said there were deep bruises on the arms and legs of the deceased, which suggested that he tried to restrain somebody from inflicting those bruises on him before his death.
According to him, an X-ray was also carried out on the deceased, which revealed a fracture of the thyroid cartilage (neck bone).
“Based on our findings, the deceased’s death resulted from asphyxia or lack of air intake due to manual strangulation, while the wounds found on the deceased can be described as defence wounds.
“Blood and urine samples, eye fluids, stomach contents, nail scrapings and clippings were also taken by the police for further forensic analysis, after which I made a report,” he added.
The defendants were first arraigned on March 1, 2013 before Justice Adebajo on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.
The defendants are Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, all male.
The defendants, according to the charge, on or about July 27, 2006, at 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, conspired to murder Mr Williams.