Ekiti: Court Sentenced Four To Death By Hanging For Armed Robbery
An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery.
The convicts, Ojo Tope (37), Aderopo Temitope (37), Oyedele Oluwatobi (27), and Damilola Christopher (30), were arraigned on April 16, 2024, before Justice Lekan Olatawura on a five-count charge.
However, the court discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Ekundayo Ajiboye (29), stating that there was no evidence linking him to the crime.
According to the charge sheet, the convicts on August 3, 2021, at Ilutitun Street, near Dammy Guest House, Ikere Ekiti, conspired to rob multiple victims, including Taye Adegboye, Idowu Damilola, Idowu Tolulope, and Ganiyu Abimbola.
Items stolen during the robbery included laptops, phones, a power bank, chargers, jewelry, a sound system, and ₦136,000 in cash. The assailants were armed with guns during the attack.
One of the victims, Idowu Oluwadamilola, recounted his ordeal, stating that the robbers broke into his room at midnight.
“Before they gained access, I climbed and hid in the ceiling. They threatened to shoot my brother if he did not reveal my whereabouts. When I came down, they beat me mercilessly,” he said.
The robbers then carted away valuables before fleeing the scene.
In February 2022, police arrested the defendants, who later confessed to the crime and led officers to the victim’s home.
The prosecution, led by Oluwaseun Olasanmi, presented four witnesses and the defendants’ confessional statements as evidence. The defense, represented by Adeyinka Opaleke and others, did not call any witnesses.
Delivering judgment, Justice Olatawura ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The 1st to 4th defendants all confessed to conspiring to commit armed robbery. The prosecution has provided irrefutable evidence,” the judge stated.
He then sentenced the four convicts to death by hanging, pronouncing:
“You, Ojo Tope, Aderopo Temitope, Oyedele Oluwatobi, and Damilola Christopher, shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your souls.”
However, he found no evidence against the 5th defendant, Ekundayo Ajiboye, and ordered his release.
