Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos[/captio
The High Court in Ado Ekiti on Thursday sentenced four persons to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.
They are Ojo Tope (37), Aderopo Temitope (37), Oyedele Oluwatobi (27), Damilola Christopher (30), and Ekundayo Ajiboye (29).
They were arraigned before the court on April 16, 2024, on conspiracy and armed robbery before Justice Lekan Olatawaru.
The charge read, “The convicts on August 3, 2021, at Ilutitun Street, along Dammy Guest House, Ikere Ekiti did conspire to rob Taye Adegboye, Idowu Damilola, Idowu Tolulope and Ganiyu Abimbola of their belongings such as laptops, phones, power bank and charger, jewelry, sound system, cash sum of N136, 000 among others. As at the time of the robbery, they were armed with guns.”
A victim of these suspects, Idowu Oluwadamilola, told the police that he was sleeping in his room around midnight when some people forced their way into his room.
He said, “Before they gained access, I climbed and hid in the ceiling. When they entered, they told my brother that we were two in the room, and they threatened to shoot him if he refused to produce me. Immediately I came down from the ceiling, I was beaten seriously for daring them.
“Thereafter, they took our laptop computers, phones, power bank and chargers, all the money in the house, MP3 radio and other things. I, alongside other victims, went to report at the Ilupeju Police Station the following day.”
Oluwaseun Olasanmi’s prosecutor called four witnesses and tendered the defendants’ statements as exhibits.
In his judgment, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, “In this instant case, the 1st to 4th defendants, all confessed individually to have conspired to commit armed robbery at the property occupied by the victims.
“In all, I find that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the 1st to 4th defendants committed the offences, and
in consequence thereof, the sentence of this court is that you, Ojo Tope, Aderopo Temitope, Oyedele Oluwatobi and Damilola Christopher, be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your souls,” the judge said.
“I found no evidence linking the 5th defendant to the commission of any of the offences as charged. Accordingly, Ekundayo Ajiboye is hereby discharged and acquitted.”
