Three persons have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti for conspiracy and armed robbery.
Omotayo Deji (23), Chidiebere Ifeanyi (25) and Bolaji Usman (28), who were arraigned on four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery, appeared before Justice Bamidele Omotoso on January 21, 2020.
According to the charge, the defendants “On May 6, 2019, at Aba Erinfun, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti in Ado Ekiti Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony, to wit; armed robbery and robbed Ademiloye Stephen, Olokuntoye Temitope and Ajayi Kolade of their belongings, such as, phones, laptop computer, sandals, phone chargers and power banks valued at N186,000, as at the time of the robbery, they were armed with cutlass and wooden plank.”
The offences are said to be contrary to Sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims of the robbery told the police that they were sleeping around 2:30 am when they heard a loud sound on the door, which immediately woke them.
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He said on jumping out of his bed, he saw the defendants, who were armed with cutlasses and wooden planks, adding that they broke the electric bulb with the plank in their hand.
The victim continued, “they commanded us lay face down and bring out all our money, we told them, we are students and we don’t have money, they started beating us with the stick and cutlass.
“Thereafter, they collected our phones, laptops, chargers, sandals, power banks and other items I could not remember and ran away.”
The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called one witness and tendered statements of the victims and defendants, among others, as exhibits.
The defendants spoke in their own defence through their counsels, they called no witness.
In his judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said, “I am of the strong opinion that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of armed robbery against the defendants.
They are hereby found guilty as charged and convicted for the offence of armed robbery.
“The sentence of the court upon you, Omotayo Deji, Chidiebere Ifeanyi, and Bolaji Usman is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your souls.”