Four Men Sentenced to Death for Armed Robbery in Ekiti State
In a landmark verdict, an Ekiti State High Court has delivered justice by sentencing four individuals to death for their involvement in an armed robbery that occurred on December 24, 2018. The convicted individuals, identified as Segun Friday (39), Tijani Semiu Seun (27), Ogunyemi Segun Olarewaju (29), and Adebayo Tope (23), were brought before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on July 17, 2020, facing charges of conspiracy and armed robbery.
The court proceedings revealed that the defendants conspired to commit the crime at Irare Village, Erinmope in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The charges specified that the individuals, armed with guns, targeted Adeleke Abiodun, a commercial motorcyclist, with the intention of robbing him of his Bajaj motorcycle.
The victim, Abiodun, testified before the court, recounting the harrowing experience. He highlighted that he was initially hired to transport a passenger but became suspicious when the journey led into a forested area. Despite his concerns, he proceeded when reassured by another motorcyclist who claimed to have run out of petrol.
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However, the situation took a drastic turn when Abiodun was attacked by the individuals, resulting in the theft of his motorcycle. Fortunately, the swift response of a couple on another motorcycle and the subsequent involvement of villagers led to the arrest of one of the culprits. Despite efforts, the stolen motorcycle remains unrecovered to this day.
During the trial, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, presented a compelling case, calling three witnesses and submitting the defendants’ statements as exhibits. In their defense, the defendants spoke through their counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke.
Justice Adekunle Adeleye, in delivering the verdict, emphasized the undeniable evidence of a coordinated plan among the conspirators. He stated, “The four defendants are found guilty in count one (conspiracy) and count two (armed robbery) as charged.” Consequently, the judge sentenced all four defendants to death, citing the established intent and actions that led to the criminal act.
As the community reflects on this significant legal outcome, questions arise about the broader implications for crime prevention and the role of the justice system in safeguarding citizens. VOTP NEWS will continue to monitor developments related to this case and provide verified updates on any appeals or further legal proceedings. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage and analysis on VOTP NEWS.
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