An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Tuesday, January 27, sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The condemned inmates, Lasisi Afeez (33), Ilesanmi Seun (32) and Ajewole Peter (53) were arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on a four count bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
The charge stated that “The offences were contrary to section 314, 312 (2) (b) and 344 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
“The defendants on 29th March, 2022, at Ado Ekiti, while armed with offensive weapons such as guns and cutlasses, did rob one Ojo Dada Emmanuel of his Toyota Corolla car, wedding ring, ATM cards, Infinix phone, two laptop computers and N70,000 cash”
“The defendants also on the same date, place and time did rob Balogun Ahmed of his Infinix phone, Itel phone and N2,200. On the day of the incident, they were found having in their possession one long double-barreled gun and live cartridges without a lawful permit.”
In his testimony before the court, one of the victims, Emmanuel, said, “I was in my hospital around 11pm, I was preparing to perform a medical operation in the theatre. Suddenly, I saw the defendants; they did not cover their faces, they ordered us to lie face down, one of them held a pistol while the other one held a long double-barreled gun. They beat me, the patient and his relative, who was with us, at gunpoint.
“They collected my phone, my wedding ring, N70,000 cash with the hospital cashier and they left with my Toyota Corolla car valued at N3m. Inside the car were my bank ATM and two laptop computers.
“I reported the incident at the police station. I later heard the car had been sold by the defendants, but was retrieved by the police. I confirmed the chassis number because the registration plate number DEA 722 AA had been removed by the armed robbers.”
The prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, called three witnesses and tendered car documents, one gun, phones, live cartridges, among others, as exhibits. But in their defence, the defendants, represented by their respective counsels, called no witness.
In his judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found the defendants guilty on three of the counts bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.
Ogunmoye said, “I am in agreement with the position of the prosecutor that it was clear from the defendants’ confessional statements vide the tendered exhibits that they planned to rob at Maxwell Hospital, located at Ifesowapo Street, Nova Road, Ado Ekiti.
“In all, the sole issue for determination is resolved partly in favour of the prosecution. The prosecution has succeeded in proving its case in counts 1, 2 and 3, (Conspiracy and Armed Robbery). Therefore, they were discharged and acquitted in count four.
“Consequently, the judgment of this court upon the defendants is that they be hanged by the neck until they be d3ad, May God Almighty have mercy upon your souls”, Justice Ogunmoye pronounced.
