An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, April 29, sentenced two men to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The convicts, Ojo Olasunkanmi (31) and Obamoyegun Dele (31), were initially arraigned on January 31, 2020, alongside Adewale David (36), who died during the course of the trial. They faced six counts of conspiracy and armed robbery, as amended on March 25, 2025.
According to the charge, the defendants, armed with guns and axes, carried out a robbery on August 11, 2018, at Oganganmodu, off Igbole Road in Ido Ekiti. They were accused of conspiring to commit the crime and robbing several victims of items including mobile phones, a Toyota Sienna bus, a DVD player, and cash.
The prosecution stated that the offences contravened Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
One of the victims, Bosede Ojo, told the court that the attack occurred around 1 a.m., when the assailants posed as NDLEA officers and demanded entry. She explained that the suspects later scaled the fence, forced their way in, and robbed the occupants of their valuables before fleeing. The incident was reported to the police the following day.
Prosecutor O.B. Ayeleso presented nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including the defendants’ statements, a black axe, 15 SIM cards, mobile phones, the recovered Toyota Sienna bus, and photographs.
The defendants, represented by their counsel, Opeyemi Ogunremi and Marcus Oluwatoyin, testified in their own defence but did not call any witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso ruled in favour of the prosecution on all counts and found the defendants guilty as charged. He subsequently sentenced both men to death by hanging, pronouncing that they be executed accordingly.
