Ekiti High Court sentences two to death for robbery

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two persons to death by hanging.

The convicts, Olusegun Folorunso (53) and Ajayi Dele (51), were arraigned before Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi on a three-count bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The charge read that “the convicts, on 24th August 2022, along Erio Ekiti Road within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired to commit felony, to wit: armed robbery.

“On the same date and place, they robbed one Ajogbeje Ayodeji of his ash-coloured Hyundai Sonata car, phone, and laptop computer. They also robbed one Oluwasegun Oke of his phone while being armed with guns and cutlasses.”

According to the charge, the offences are contrary to Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In his testimony before the court, one of the victims, Ajogbeje Ayodeji, said, “Around 4:00 a.m., myself and two of my brothers were traveling from Erio Ekiti to Ido Ekiti. Somewhere in the bush between Erio and Ido, we saw a barricade on the road. While we were wondering what had happened, we saw the defendants armed with guns and cutlasses. They pointed their guns at us and ordered us to lie face down. They collected the car key, my laptop, and our phones, then entered the car and drove away.

“I first reported the case at Aramoko Police Station and later at the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigerian Police Force in Ado Ekiti. I later received a call that the armed robbers had been arrested in Ibadan.”

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called five witnesses and tendered the defendants’ statements, one locally made single-barrel gun, one locally made double-barrel gun, six live cartridges, among other exhibits.

The defendants spoke in their own defence through their lawyers, Adeyinka Opaleke and Ezekiel Agunbiade, but called no witnesses.

In his judgment, Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi said, “In the present case, I uphold the submission of the prosecution that there are sufficient facts from which common intention can be inferred, through which the defendants can be convicted and sentenced for conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

“On the whole, the defendants are found guilty as charged. Consequently, on count I (conspiracy), the defendants are sentenced to ten years imprisonment each, and on count 2 (armed robbery), the defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead. May God have mercy on your souls.”