Twins and Two Others Sentenced to 14 Years for Armed Robbery in Lagos
A Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has handed down a significant ruling, convicting and sentencing twin brothers, Ojomo Taiwo and Ojomo Kehinde, along with two other individuals, Emmanuel Bamidele (also known as DPO) and Peter Samuel (also known as Mogaji), to 14 years of imprisonment each for armed robbery. The judgment was delivered by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, marking a conclusion to a case that began in 2020.
Plea Bargain Agreement Leads to Reduced Sentence
The defendants entered into a plea bargain agreement on an amended two-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, which is contrary to Section 298(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Initially, they pleaded not guilty when arraigned in 2020, but later changed their plea to guilty after filing the plea bargain on April 14, 2026. This agreement effectively reduced their potential sentence from 21 years to 14 years in prison.
Justice Abike-Fadipe confirmed that the defendants consented to the plea bargain voluntarily, although she emphasized that the court was not bound by its terms. The Director of Public Prosecutions, J A Ogunode, urged the court to impose the sentence in accordance with the plea bargain, leading to the final ruling.
Details of the Armed Robbery Incident
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on June 5, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m. at Oshodi Bridge in Lagos. The defendants, pretending to be stranded, boarded a blue 2005 Toyota Sienna with registration number LSR 771 GG, driven by Sadiq Abiodun Ezekiel. Once inside the vehicle, they allegedly produced firearms, forced the driver into the back seat, assaulted him, and stole his belongings, including an Android phone, an iPhone, an ATM card, and N15,000 in cash.
The group then drove off with the vehicle, later abandoning the victim at Charley Boy bus stop in the Gbagada area before fleeing towards Oshodi. The stolen vehicle was recovered the same day at Ikeja Shopping Mall and returned to the victim. During inspection, the victim discovered a locally made double-barrel pistol loaded with four cartridges, which he promptly handed over to the police.
Background of the Convicts and Legal Proceedings
The convicts have diverse backgrounds: Taiwo worked as a driver, Kehinde as a security guard, Bamidele as a technician, and Samuel as a cobbler. One of the charges specified that they robbed the victim of his personal items and the vehicle while armed with guns at Oshodi Bridge within the Ikeja Judicial Division.
In her ruling, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced each of the convicts to 14 years of imprisonment, with the term to commence from the date of their remand in custody. This case highlights the judicial process in Lagos and the use of plea bargains to expedite justice while ensuring appropriate penalties for serious crimes.
