Armed Robbery: Court sentences two to death by hanging
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Justice Ayo Oyebiyi of Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo on Thursday sentenced two middle aged men to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The convicts are Wasiu Afolayan 36-year old and Kola Adeyemi 34–year old.
They were arraigned before the court on four counts charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and unlawful possession of arms contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges slammed against them.
The prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Bewaji Adeniji told the court that on the 7th day of December, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Afolayan and Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed people living in that community.
He said that Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime at Oke-Onitea, while the police investigation led to the arrest of Adeyemi at Ikire through the confession made by Afolayan who mentioned his name as his gang member.
Meanwhile, the same armed robbery gang had on the 26th day of November, 2018, robbed at No. 3, Oduola, Street, Igbona area, Osogbo, where they carted away belongings of the residents and also killed one Olaniyi Adewale with the gun during the robbery operation and escaped from the scene.
During the trial, the Prosecutor called six witnesses to proved his case and tendered several exhibits including the extra judicial statements made at both Divisional Police Headquarters and SCID.
Counsel to the convicts, Adesina Olaniyan Esq. pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy with his clients because they are first offenders.
In his judgment, Justice Oyebiyi said the prosecuting counsel has proved the charges against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt and found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
He thereby sentenced them to death by hanging.
