Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
An Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced five men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
The convicts, Ojo Tope (alias Tope Dudu, 36), Damilola Christopher (alias XY, 32), Joshua Adegoke (27), Aderopo Temitope (alias Tope Pupa, 39), and Oyedele Oluwatobi (29), were arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on 27 October 2022. They faced a four-count charge relating to a violent armed robbery and the killing of a man in the Ekiti State capital.
According to the charge, the incident took place on 18 August 2021 in Ado Ekiti. The prosecution stated that the defendants, armed with guns, carried out a coordinated home invasion in which they robbed Ajiboye Olajide and Temidayo Buhari of several valuable items including mobile phones, laptops, gaming consoles, diamond and gold jewellery, and a 2020 MacBook Pro. During the same attack, the gang also murdered a man identified as Joseph Blessing.
The offences were brought under Sections 516A and 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012, and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Giving evidence in court, one of the victims, Ajiboye Olajide, recounted the ordeal.
“I was asleep with my two brothers around 1:00 am when one of them noticed someone lurking by the window,” he said.
“As soon as the intruder realised we were awake, he demanded we open the door. We refused, but they smashed it open with a mud block.”
Olajide continued: “There were five of them, all masked. My brothers managed to escape, but I was caught. They forced me to lie face down. One stayed with me while the others ransacked the house. They took our phones, laptops, and other belongings. Before leaving, they told me to grab my car keys and follow them.”
He explained that when they got outside, he discovered that the compound’s night guard had been shot. “They placed his body in the back seat and ordered me to drive him to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. I left his body at the mortuary and went straight to the police to report the incident.”
To establish the case, prosecuting counsel Julius Ajibare called five witnesses and submitted several pieces of evidence, including the defendants’ statements, attestation forms, a photograph of the deceased, and a sworn affidavit. The defence, represented by separate legal counsel for each accused, presented no witnesses.
In his ruling, Justice Olatawura said the prosecution had convincingly demonstrated that the defendants were guilty as charged.
“I find it proven beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants conspired to commit armed robbery and murder,” he declared. “Their display of remorse at this stage is unconvincing.”
Describing the crime as “mean and bestial,” the judge added: “The evidence before this court shows that these individuals pose a serious threat to society and must be treated accordingly.”
On the count of conspiracy, each of the five men received a sentence of 21 years in prison. For the counts of armed robbery and murder, the court handed down the ultimate penalty.
“The sentence of this court is that all the defendants shall be hanged by the neck until they are dead,” Justice Olatawura ruled. “And may God have mercy on your souls.”
