SHOLA ADEBIYI

A man named Shola Adebiyi, aged 38, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering Esther Arogundade, the mother of his child.

The murder took place at their shared residence located on Cumbrae Gardens in Weaste, Salford, during June.

Prosecutors revealed that Esther, 32, who worked at KFC, was engaged in an extramarital affair and planned to end her five-year relationship with Adebiyi.

Court proceedings showed that the couple had numerous disagreements in the weeks before the killing.

Adebiyi reportedly wanted their two-year-old daughter to be raised as a Muslim, whereas Esther was Christian.

On the day of the murder, he gave their daughter to a babysitter and hid the child’s birth certificate in her pram.

Later, he confided in a friend about the murder, which led police to locate Esther’s body.

Adebiyi admitted to the murder and was ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years and six months behind bars.

The judge described the case as 'carefully planned and premeditated,' noting the violence of the attack, in which Esther was stabbed 13 times.

Evidence showed that Adebiyi had taken a large kitchen knife from his place of work, tried to clean it after the stabbing, and later attempted to dispose of it.

The court also considered Adebiyi’s claims of hearing voices, but mental health professionals concluded that he was only mildly depressed at the time.

However, further assessments indicated he was experiencing a major depressive episode with psychotic features.

Esther was portrayed as a beloved family member, with her relatives expressing heartfelt sorrow, stating, 'She was a mother, daughter, and sister.

Her death caused great pain and grief to us all.

We are truly sad.

We love you, Esther.

May you rest peacefully.'