In a landmark ruling that has captured national attention, the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has delivered a powerful message against violent crime. Three men - Sodiq Kareem, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Jimoh Abdulkadir - have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in a violent armed robbery operation.
The Fateful Night of Terror
The convicted men were found guilty of terrorizing residents during a brazen robbery operation that occurred on November 19, 2022, in the Tanke area of Ilorin. The prosecution successfully proved that the trio, armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the home of their victims and stole valuable properties, including an Infinix Note 11 smartphone.
Dramatic Courtroom Scene
Presiding Judge, Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, delivered the verdict after careful consideration of the evidence presented by the prosecution team from the Kwara State Ministry of Justice. In a dramatic turn of events, while the three men received the ultimate punishment, their two female co-accused - Ramat Opo and Rianat Opo - were discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
The court heard compelling testimony from multiple witnesses, including police investigators and victims of the robbery. Critical evidence presented included:
- Confessional statements from the convicted men
- Recovered stolen properties, including the Infinix smartphone
- Eyewitness accounts of the robbery incident
- Forensic evidence linking the accused to the crime scene
Justice Served with Finality
In his ruling, Justice Abdulgafar emphasized that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge noted that the severity of the crime - armed robbery - carried a mandatory death sentence under Nigerian law, particularly the Robbery and Firearms Act.
The verdict sends a strong warning to criminal elements operating in Kwara State and across Nigeria that the justice system will not tolerate violent crimes that threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
