Court Sentences Five Robbers To Death By Hanging In Ekiti
A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday sentenced five men to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The court convicted Ojo Tope, Danilola Christopher, Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope, and Oyedele Oluwatobi.
Delivering judgment, Justice O.O. Olatawura held that the five defendants were found guilty of conspiracy, murder, and armed robbery.
The offences were committed by the convicts on 18 August 2021, at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, where they robbed Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem Isiaka of their money, laptop computers, mobile phones, and other valuables.
During the course of the robbery, the convicts also murdered the local night guard, identified as Joseph Blessing.
The five men were subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy, murder, and armed robbery, contrary to Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012; Section 319 of the same law; and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, prosecuted the case on behalf of Ekiti State, calling four witnesses and tendering 13 exhibits before the court to prove the charges.
Adeyinka Opaleke represented the defendants. Each of the accused persons gave evidence in their own defence but called no additional witnesses.
After thoroughly evaluating the evidence presented, the court ruled that the prosecution had proven the charges of armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy against all five defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Olatawura consequently convicted all the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder and to 21 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy
