Four people were sentenced to death by hanging on Thursday, by an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti for conspiracy and armed robbery.
In April 16, 2024, Ojo Tope (37), Aderopo Temitope (37), Oyedele Oluwatobi (27), Damilola Christopher (30), and Ekundayo Ajiboye (29), the convicted individuals, were arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on five counts that bordered on armed robbery and conspiracy.
However, Ekundayo Ajiboye, the fifth defendant, was dismissed and acquitted by the court, which stated that there was no evidence connecting him to the offenses.
As stated in the charge, “The convicts on August 3, 2021, at Ilutitun Street, along Dammy Guest House, Ikere Ekiti did conspire to rob Taye Adegboye, Idowu Damilola, Idowu Tolulope and Ganiyu Abimbola of their belongings such as laptops, phones, power bank and charger, jewelry, sound system, cash sum of N136,000 among others. As at the time of the robbery, they were armed with guns.”
Idowu Oluwadamilola, one of the victims, told the police that he was resting in his room at around midnight when some individuals broke in.
“Before they gained access, I climbed and hid in the ceiling. When they entered, they told my brother that we were two in the room, and they threatened to shoot him if he refused to produce me. Immediately I came down from the ceiling, I was beaten seriously for daring them,” he stated.
“Thereafter, they took our laptop computers, phones, power bank and chargers, all the money in the house, MP3 radio and other things. I, alongside other victims, went to report at the Ilupeju Police Station the following day.”
He claims that in February 2022, while he was at home, the defendants brought police officers to his residence after confessing to robbing him the year before.
Four witnesses were called by the prosecution, Oluwaseun Olasanmi, who also presented the defendants’ testimonies as exhibits.
The defendants did not call any witnesses; instead, they talked through Adeyinka Opaleke, their attorney, and others.
Justice Lekan Olatawura stated in his ruling that “In this instant case, the 1st to 4th defendants, all confessed individually to have conspired to commit armed robbery at the property occupied by the victims.
“In all, I find that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the 1st to 4th defendants committed the offences, and in consequence thereof, the sentence of this court is that you, Ojo Tope, Aderopo Temitope, Oyedele Oluwatobi and Damilola Christopher, be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your souls.
“I found no iota of evidence linking the 5th defendant to the commission of any of the offences as charged. Accordingly, Ekundayo Ajiboye is hereby discharged and acquitted,” the judge decleared.