1st June, 2026 | News

Three Sentenced to Death for Murder of Sound Engineer Dave Sound as Convict Attempts Suicide in Court

A Lagos State High Court has sentenced three of the six men standing trial over the 2022 mob killing of Lagos-based sound engineer, David Sunday Imoh, popularly known as Dave Sound, to death by hanging.

The judgment, delivered on Tuesday by Justice I. O. Harrison, also saw two other defendants sentenced to 11 years and two months’ imprisonment each, while the sixth defendant received a prison term of five years and six months.

Shortly after the judgment was delivered, dramatic scenes unfolded inside the courtroom when the first defendant, identified as the commercial motorcycle rider at the centre of the incident, allegedly attempted to take his own life.

According to a source close to the Imoh family who witnessed the proceedings, the convict produced a razor blade, slit his wrist and then attempted to cut his throat moments after the court pronounced the sentence.

Prison officials and police officers immediately intervened, restrained him and prevented what could have been a fatal incident. The presiding judge subsequently directed that he be taken to a hospital for medical treatment before serving his sentence.

Speaking on the outcome of the case, the source said all six defendants were convicted of various offences.

According to the source, three defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and murder and were sentenced to death by hanging.

Two others were convicted of conspiracy to murder and causing grievous bodily harm and were each sentenced to 11 years and two months in prison, while the sixth defendant was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment.

The judgment concludes one of Lagos’ most widely condemned mob justice cases, which sparked nationwide outrage in May 2022.

Imoh, a 37-year-old sound engineer with Legacy360 Band, was brutally beaten and set ablaze following an argument over a ₦100 balance with a commercial motorcycle rider along Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1.

The killing drew widespread condemnation from civil society organisations, entertainers and members of the public, many of whom demanded justice for the slain sound engineer and called for an end to mob violence.

Following investigations, the Lagos State Government arraigned six suspects—Dahiru Ayuba, Susan Moses, Chigozie Anthony, Christopher Dauda, Joseph Tella and Sunday Azi—before the Lagos State High Court on charges bordering on conspiracy to murder, murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm.

During the trial, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, told the court that the defendants assaulted Imoh before setting him ablaze. The prosecution also alleged that two other members of Legacy360 Band—Francis Olatunji and Philip Balogun—were attacked during the incident.

Testifying before the court, Balogun recounted how he, Imoh and Olatunji were attacked after the disagreement with the motorcycle rider escalated. He said he sustained severe injuries and received treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, and Evercare Hospital.

He further testified that one of the defendants physically assaulted them while another pointed out Imoh’s hiding place before the mob dragged him out and attacked him.

Earlier accounts from Legacy360 Band stated that Imoh and Balogun had boarded a commercial motorcycle after a performance engagement. Upon arriving at Admiralty Way, an argument reportedly broke out over a ₦100 balance, attracting other commercial motorcycle riders who allegedly joined in the assault. Olatunji was also attacked while attempting to intervene.

Imoh was buried on June 3, 2022, following a service of songs at the Church of God Mission International, Victoria Island Zonal Headquarters, Lagos. He is survived by his wife, children, mother, siblings and other family members.