A 51-year-old man, Owoeye Ojo, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for his involvement in armed robbery and attempted murder.
Ojo was arraigned on August 25, 2023, on a four-count charge including armed robbery and attempted murder. According to the charges, on May 21, 2023, the defendant and others still at large, armed with guns, axes, and cutlasses, robbed and attempted to kill two women—Funmilayo Adeyemi and Omolola Adesola—at Oluwole Orungbe Street, Ado-Ekiti.
The court heard that the gang robbed Adeyemi of her handbag, which contained cash and a mobile phone valued at ₦85,000. On a separate occasion, May 12, 2023, at Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, the same group allegedly robbed Omolola Adesola of her laptop, phones, flash drives, and a cash sum of ₦10,000.
These offences violated Sections 314, 312(2)(b), 241, and 312(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.
One of the victims, Omolola Adesola, testified before the court, recounting the terrifying experience:
“I was in my house around 8:00 p.m., preparing to sleep when I tried to lock the door. I noticed resistance from the outside and opened it. That was when I saw the defendant and others armed with guns, cutlasses, and an axe,” she said.
“They ordered me to lie face down and forced my eldest son to lead them into the room, where they stole valuables and cash worth ₦710,000.”
Adesola later reported the incident to the police at Oke Ila Division. About a week later, she identified the defendant at the office of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) as one of the assailants who invaded her home.
The prosecution, led by Florence Ajumobi, called four witnesses and presented several exhibits, including a single-barrel gun, live cartridges, the defendant’s statement, and photos of the victims. The defense, represented by Mr. Lawrence Fasanmi, called no witnesses.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye stated:
“Based on the credible and convincing evidence presented before this court, the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant participated in the robbery. There was a clear agreement between the defendant and his accomplices to commit the crime.”
“Accordingly, the defendant is hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on his soul,” the judge concluded.
(NAN)
