Ekiti High Court Delivers Death Sentence for Armed Robbery Trio
In a landmark ruling, the Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has handed down a death sentence to three individuals convicted of armed robbery. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, January 27, by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who ordered that the condemned inmates be hanged by the neck until dead.
Details of the Case and Charges
The convicted persons, identified as Lasisi Afeez (33), Ilesanmi Seun (32), and Ajewole Peter (53), faced a four-count charge that included conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms. According to the charges, the offences violated sections 314, 312 (2) (b), and 344 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The prosecution detailed that on March 29, 2022, in Ado Ekiti, the defendants, armed with guns and cutlasses, robbed Ojo Dada Emmanuel of his Toyota Corolla car, wedding ring, ATM cards, an Infinix phone, two laptop computers, and N70,000 in cash. Additionally, on the same date and location, they robbed Balogun Ahmed of his Infinix phone, Itel phone, and N2,200. During the incident, they were found in possession of a long double-barreled gun and live cartridges without lawful authorization.
Victim Testimony and Evidence Presented
One of the victims, Emmanuel, provided a harrowing account in court. He testified that he was at his hospital around 11 pm, preparing for a medical operation, when the defendants, unmasked, entered and ordered everyone to lie face down. Armed with a pistol and a long double-barreled gun, they assaulted Emmanuel, a patient, and a relative 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 N3 million," Emmanuel stated. "Inside the car were my bank ATM and two laptop computers. I reported the incident at the police station and later learned 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 submitted various exhibits, including car documents, a gun, phones, and live cartridges. In contrast, the defendants, represented by their respective counsels, did not call any witnesses in their defense.
Court Judgment and Final Ruling
In his judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found the defendants guilty on three counts related to conspiracy and armed robbery. He noted that the prosecution successfully proved its case based on the defendants' confessional statements and the tendered exhibits, which indicated they planned the robbery at Maxwell Hospital on Ifesowapo Street, Nova Road, Ado Ekiti.
"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," Justice Ogunmoye stated. "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 court pronounced the death sentence, with Justice Ogunmoye adding, "May God Almighty have mercy upon your souls." This ruling underscores the judiciary's firm stance against violent crimes in Ekiti State, reinforcing the legal consequences for such offences.
