An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced two men, David Friday and Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The duo faced a four-count charge including conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating members of the armed forces and police—offences that violated the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act and the Ondo State Criminal Code.
According to court testimony, the crimes occurred on January 15, 2021. One of the victims, Akinmodun Akinleye, told the court he was returning from his farm at about 1 a.m. when he was stopped at Ojalade Junction by two armed men—one wearing a black police T-shirt, the other in full military camouflage. They searched his vehicle, stole ₦6,000, and forced him to fuel their motorcycle. He later discovered his ₦8,500 Itel phone was missing.
Another witness, security guard Olowogbadegun Lanre, testified that the same men attempted to disarm him and later robbed an 18-seater bus driver nearby, beating him and taking ₦5,000. The robbers offered Lanre ₦2,000, which he refused. He later identified one of the assailants at the police station.
A third witness, transporter Adeyeye Sesan, recounted being assaulted by the men, who demanded ₦10,000. When he refused, they beat him with sticks and a pistol, robbed him of ₦125,000, and injured him with a dagger.
Police investigations confirmed that David Friday was a serving officer at the Olofin Police Station, Idanre, while Innocent Victor had falsely claimed to be a soldier. His claim was debunked by authorities at Owena Cantonment in Akure. Both men confessed to the crimes.
Delivering judgment, Justice W.R. Olamide ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the two men to death by hanging.
