Court orders hanging of two robbers in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday sentenced two men to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The defendants, Ojo Olasunkanmi, 31, and Obamoyegun Dele, 31, were arraigned on January 31, 2020, alongside Adewale David, 36, who died during the pendency of the case. They faced six counts bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery, as amended on March 25, 2025.

The charge stated that the defendants, armed with guns and axes, conspired to commit armed robbery on August 11, 2018, at Oganganmodu, off Igbole Road, Ido Ekiti. On the same day and at the same location, they robbed several people of their belongings, including phones, a Toyota Sienna space bus, a DVD player, and various sums of cash.

The prosecution said the offences were contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In her testimony, one of the victims, Bosede Ojo, gave a graphic account of the incident.

She said the robbery occurred around 1 a.m. when the assailants impersonated NDLEA officers and ordered the victims to open the gate. When they refused, the robbers scaled the fence, broke the burglary proof, and robbed the occupants of their valuables.

She added, “We reported the incident at the police station the following day.”

The prosecutor, O.B. Ayeleso, called nine witnesses and tendered the defendants’ statements, one black axe, 15 SIM cards, phones, a Toyota Sienna space bus, photographs, and other items as exhibits.

The defendants, who testified in their own defence through their counsel, Opeyemi Ogunremi and Marcus Oluwatoyin, called no witnesses.

In his judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso resolved all issues in favour of the prosecution and held, “Accordingly, the defendants are convicted as charged.

“For conspiracy and armed robbery, the sentence of this court is that the defendants—Ojo Tosin Olasunkanmi and Obamoyegun Dele—be hanged by the neck until they are dead. May God have mercy on your souls.”