An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday convicted and sentenced three men to death for their roles in a violent armed robbery carried out in the state capital.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found Lasisi Afeez (33), Ilesanmi Seun (32), and Ajewole Peter (53) guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery after a full trial. The defendants were prosecuted on a four-count charge relating to conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms under relevant provisions of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.
Details of the Offence
According to the charge, the convicts committed the offence on March 29, 2022, in Ado-Ekiti while armed with guns and cutlasses. They were accused of attacking two victims, including a medical practitioner, and dispossessing them of valuables.
Items stolen during the robbery included:
•A Toyota Corolla car
•Mobile phones
•Two laptop computers
•ATM cards
•A wedding ring
•Cash totalling ₦72,200
Prosecutors also told the court that the defendants were later found in possession of a double-barrelled gun and live cartridges without lawful authorisation.
Victim’s Testimony
One of the victims, Ojo Dada Emmanuel, testified that the attack occurred late at night inside his hospital while he was preparing for a medical procedure. He told the court that the attackers were armed, did not conceal their identities, and assaulted him and others present before fleeing with his car and personal belongings.
Police investigations later led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle, which had been sold by the robbers after the incident.
Court’s Findings
The prosecution, led by Julius Ajibare, called three witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including firearms, cartridges, vehicle documents, and recovered phones. The defendants, although represented by legal counsel, did not call any witnesses in their defence.
In his judgment, Justice Ogunmoye held that the prosecution successfully proved the charges of conspiracy and armed robbery beyond reasonable doubt, relying heavily on the defendants’ confessional statements and corroborating evidence.
While the defendants were acquitted on one count, the court convicted them on the remaining three counts.
Sentence
The judge consequently sentenced the three men to death by hanging, as prescribed by law for armed robbery convictions in the state, and noted that the defendants retain the right to appeal the judgment.
The ruling adds to a growing number of capital convictions in Ekiti State. In November, the same court sentenced two other individuals to death for separate armed robbery offences involving residents of Ado-Ekiti.
Authorities say the judgment underscores the judiciary’s resolve to address violent crime within the state through strict enforcement of existing laws.
Source: Africa Publicity
