The Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced seven individuals to death by hanging following their conviction for armed robbery. Notably, two of the convicts, Oyebanji Jimoh (32) and Jimoh Azeez (32), were already under a death sentence from a different judge for a separate armed robbery case. The other five persons sentenced are Bolaji Ayodele Stephen (32), Ibrahim Alausa (33), Olorunfemi Busayo (32), Adeniyi Adewumi (30), and Idowu Sunday (32). All seven were initially arraigned on January 28, 2020, on a five-count charge that included conspiracy, armed robbery, and membership in a secret cult.
The indictment detailed multiple offenses, stating that on October 15, 2018, in Ado Ekiti, the defendants robbed Ologunleko Olayinka of her Toyota car (Reg No. SMK 837 BF), ₦150,000 cash, a laptop, and phones. On the same day and location, at Dallimore junction, they robbed Ologunleko Oluwole of his phones, foodstuffs, and personal belongings. Furthermore, the defendants were charged with robbing Ojo Babatunde Kolawole of his phones on July 15, 2018, at Ifelodun Avenue. The charges concluded that as of October 15, 2019, the defendants were found to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, a prohibited secret society in Ekiti State, and that they were armed with guns and axes during the incidents.
The charge asserted that the offenses committed were contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(9) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act (Cap. R11, VOL14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), as well as Section 4(1) of the secret cult (Abolition and Prohibition) (First Amendment) Law No 6 of 2017 of Ekiti State.
One victim recounted the frightening experience: her family, visiting Ado Ekiti from Ogun State, had been warned about rampant robberies. While waiting at Dallimore junction, having been advised to stay somewhere safe, they were ambushed. She stated, “Suddenly, we saw some boys who asked us to lie face down, collected our laptops, phones, money and ran away with my Toyota Corolla Car.” She reported the incident to the police at Okesa.
During the trial, prosecutor Taiwo Ariyo presented four witnesses and tendered crucial exhibits, including the defendants’ statements, a shotgun, three cartridges, two blue berets, and a bond to produce photographs. The defense counsel, S.K. Idowu, opted not to call any witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye found the defendants guilty and sentenced them, stating: “From the circumstances of the case in hand, there is no doubt that the defendants acted in concert to commit armed robbery. They not only robbed their victims but also confessed to how they shared their loot. There is a meeting of mind in committing the crime alleged against them, and they all took further steps in sharing of their loot.”
“In the circumstances, all seven defendants are hereby sentenced to death”, the judge pronounced.
