Three men, identified as Bidemi Babalola, Oluwaseun Akinwale, and Sola Oyebanji, have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery by an Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on Monday, following their arraignment on Jan. 30, 2020, on charges including conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of firearms, receiving stolen properties, and membership of a secret cult.
The trial revealed that the condemned men, along with two other suspects, were accused of committing the offences on Oct. 3, 2018, at Oke Oniyo Street, Ado-Ekiti.
The prosecution, led by counsel Dolapo Oyewole, presented evidence including witness testimonies and exhibits such as phones, wraps of Indian hemp, a motorcycle, and the defendants’ statements to the police.
During the trial, it was established that the convicts conspired to commit armed robbery and robbed Tijani Omowumi and Ogunrinde Olumide of various items including phones, a plasma television, wristwatches, cash, and clothing.
The defendants were reportedly armed with weapons including big sticks, clubs, stones, cutlasses, and a gun during the robbery.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Ogunmoye acquitted one of the defendants, Akinwale Oluwaseun, of all charges based on the evidence presented by his counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, which proved his innocence.
However, Babalola Bidemi, Sola Oyebanji, and Azeez Jimoh were found guilty as charged and sentenced to death by hanging.
While pronouncing the sentence, Justice Ogunmoye noted that although Babalola Bidemi was a first offender, his involvement in encouraging the offence of armed robbery warranted a 10-year imprisonment as a deterrent.
The judge emphasized the gravity of the crime and its impact on society, underscoring the need for justice to be served.
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