By Bolanle Lawal
A 37-year-old ex-convict identified as Adejuwon Kehinde and one Adeniyi Dayo, 35, have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti for armed robbery.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on Feb. 14, 2023 on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and stealing.
According to the charge, the defendants on Jan. 4, 2022 armed with gun and cutlass conspired to steal the sum of N100,000 and UBA ATM, belonging to Adeowo Aderonke.
The defendants also robbed one Ojo Adeniyi of his Toyota Highlander Jeep, one bag of rice, five tubers of yam and the sum of N156,000.
They also robbed Emmanuel Gbenga of his Toyota Camry car, laptop, six phones and the sum of N60,000.
The offences contravened Sections 302(4)(a), 312(2)(a) and 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
In his testimony before the court, one of the victims, Emmanuel Gbenga said he was returning from the church in company of his family members on new year eve around 2:00am, when he was dispossessed of his car at gunpoint by the defendant.
Gbenga said that the defendants, armed with cutlass and guns, also robbed him of his laptop, six phones, bunch of key and the sum of N60,000.
“I went to report at Oke Ila police station, I was directed to police Area Command at Okesa, Ado Ekiti, to make formal complaint.
“I contacted the Engineer, who installed the Car Tracker, after frantic efforts, the car was tracked at Offa, Kwara State alongside the defendants,” he stated.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Olasanmi Oluwaseun called three witnesses and tendered the defendants’ statements and cutlass as exhibits, while the defendants who spoke through their lawyer, Lawrence Fasanmi in their defence, called no witness.
In his judgement, Justice Olatawura said, “I note that the 2nd defendant’s confessional statement, he described himself as an ex-convict.
“One would have thought that after his experience in prison, he ought to have reformed himself, instead, he stepped up his criminal acts and graduated from being a phone thief to an armed robber.
“I have given consideration to the plea of the defendants for mercy, unfortunately, the punishment for offence of armed robbery is mandatory, I therefore have no discretion to exercise in that behalf.
“Consequent, thereupon, on count one – conspiracy, the defendants are sentenced to seven years imprisonment each.
“On count two – armed robbery, the sentence of this count is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul.” (NAN)
Source; PM News