KATY, Texas — A 44-year-old Houston man was sentenced to 45 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder and decided his punishment.
Godson Olayiwola Akran stabbed his wife's friend to death in 2018. He will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he's considered for parole.
"Akran claimed self-defense, but the jury’s decision to convict him after an hour of deliberation effectively rejected that claim. And taking the same amount of time to decide a punishment of 45 years -- that’s a solid statement against this kind of behavior," prosecutor Sunni Mitchell said.
On Aug. 16, 2018, Akran showed up intoxicated at his estranged wife's house in the Tamarron subdivision in the Katy area and got into an argument with Taofeek Anifata, a friend of Akran's estranged wife.
During the argument, Akran grabbed a knife from the kitchen, charged Anifata, who was unarmed, and stabbed him two times. During the trial, Akran's wife, 13-year-old son and a nanny who was living at the house testified and told the jury about the violent attack. Akran's other two children were also at the house at the time.
"This violent crime occurred in the presence of three young children who were awakened by the defendant in their home," District Attorney Brian Middleton said. "I can’t imagine their fear of the defendant and what he might do in the future. What I do know is that he won’t be getting out of prison for many years, if ever. I hope that is some small comfort."
After stabbing Anifata, Akran ran from the house to the neighborhood clubhouse. A witness told police Akran was hiding near the clubhouse before getting into a car. The vehicle was found and Akran was taken into custody.
Domestic violence resources
Fort Bend County has resources to support victims and survivors of domestic violence. The number to the Fort Bend County Women’s Center Crisis Hotline is 281-342-HELP (4357) and the toll-free number to the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
