Olufunke Aladejare
An High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced five persons to death by hanging for conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
The convicts, Ojo Tope “A.K.A” Tope Dudu (36), Damilola Christopher “A.K.A XY” (32), Joshua Adegoke (27), Aderopo Temitope “A.k.A Tope Pupa”(39) and Oyedele Oluwatobi (29), were arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on 27th October, 2022 on four count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robber and murder.
The charge reads, “That the defendants on 18th of August, 2021 at Ado Ekiti within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to commit Felony, when armed with guns to rob Ajiboye Olajide and Temidayo Buhari of their belongings such as phones, laptops , playstations, Diamond necklaces, Gold necklaces and earrings , Macbook pro 2020 among others, also on same date, place and time did murder one Joseph Blessing.
“The offences are contrary to Sections 516 A, 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and sections 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act. Cap. Rll, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
In his evidences before the court , one of the victims, Ajiboye Olajide said, “I was sleeping alongside my two brothers in our room around 1:00 am, suddenly, one of them woke me up that he sighted somebody behind the window, immediately, he discovered we already awake, he ordered us to open the door but we refused, we later heard a loud bang at the door, they used mud block to break the door, they were five in number and masked, my two brothers escaped but I was caught.
“I was ordered to lay down face down, while one of them was with me, others were searching my house, they carted away my phones, laptops and many others things. I could not remember , when they were going, they ordered me to take my car key and follow them, when we got outside our night guard has been shot, they put him at the car back seat and ordered me to take him to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
“I deposited the dead body in the morgue and later reported the case at the Police Station”. he concluded.
To prove his case, the prosecutor Julius Ajibare called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, attestation forms, Deceased picture and sworn affidavit as exhibit. The defendants spoke through their respective lawyers, calling no witness.
In his judgement, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, “I therefore find proven beyond reasonable doubt,that the defendants indeed conspired to commit armed robbery and murder as charged. I am however not persuaded by their show of remorse at the point of judgement.
“The evidence before his court shows that the defendants are not only mean and bestial, they are danger to the society and must be treated as such.
“On count one(conspiracy) the defendants are sentenced to 21 years imprisonment each and on count two, three and four (armed robbery and murder) , the sentence of this court is that, all the defendants are to hanged by the neck until they are dead, and may God have mercy on your souls”. the judge pronounced.
