In a verdict delivered on Monday, 6 May 2024, an Ekiti State High Court sentenced three men to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The convicts, identified as Oyebanji Sola, 31; Jimoh Azeez, 31; and Ogunlade Babatunde, 28, were found guilty of robbing occupants of a private student hostel located along Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, on 3 October 2018.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who presided over the case, stated that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trio were arraigned alongside two others: Bidemi Babalola, 28, and Oluwaseun Akinwale, 26.
The five men were arraigned on 30 January 2020, on five counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of firearms, receiving stolen properties and membership in a secret cult.
But Justice Ogunmoye ruled thus: “The first defendant, Babalola Bidemi, though a first offender, was the one that encouraged the offence of armed robbery; in that, he knew that the items received by him were products of armed robbery, his sentence should serve as deterrence. He is accordingly sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.”
“The second defendant, Akinwale Oluwaseun, is discharged and acquitted of all the charges while the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants, Oyebanji Sola, Jimoh Azeez and Ogunlade Babatunde, are found guilty as charged. They are hereby sentenced to death.”
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Dolapo Oyewole, presented evidence detailing the armed robbery, which involved the convicts stealing valuables from the students.
According to Oyewole, at the time of the robbery, they were armed with a big stick, club, stone, cutlasses and gun.
Their offences, Oyewole said, were 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 and Section 4 (1) of the Secret Cults (Abolition and Prohibition) ( First Amendment) Law, No. 6 of 2017.
While the fate of the convicted men is death by hanging, this punishment must be approved by the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji before it can be carried out.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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