Ekiti Court Sentences 2 To Death For Armed Robbery

An Ekiti State high court, sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two men to death by hanging for armed robbery. The duo of Ojo Tosin Olasunkanmi (31), Obamoyegun Dele (31) were arraigned before Justice Bamidele Omotoso on 31/01/2020 alongside one Adewale David (36) who died during the pendency of the case.

The charge was, however, amended on 25/3/2025 on six counts bordering on Conspiracy and Armed Robbery.

The offences are contrary to Sections 6 (b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The charge reads, “That, the defendants, Ojo Tosin Olasunkanmi and Obamoyegun Dele on 11/08/2018 at Oganganmodu, off Igbole Road, Ido Ekiti, did conspire to commit Armed Robbery. On same day, date and place did rob the following people of their belongings; Apanisile Femi was robbed of his phones, Ojo Bosede of her phones, a Sienna Space Bus and N120,000 cash, Omosanya Olusegun of his phones, Laptop, DVD, a baby flask and N20,000 cash, Bidemi Faleye of his cash sum of N150,000 and Gbenga Faleye of his phones.”

As at the time of the robbery operation, they were armed with guns and axes.

One of the victims, Ojo Bosede, in her testimony before the court,
said, “Myself and other members of my family came from Lagos to attend a wedding ceremony of one of our relatives at Igbole Ekiti. Around 1:00 am, we heard some people shouting at the gate, ordering us to open the gate, they said they are NDLEA officers who came on a tip that we are hiding hard drugs in the house. We refused to open the gate and they later jumped through the fence to the compound and broke the burglary with a heavy stone to gain entrance. They robbed all of us occupiers of the house of our phones, DVD, laptop, cash sum of money, they collected my Sienna Space Bus key, which my children bought for me and drove it away.We later reported the incident at the police station on the second day,” she concluded.

The prosecutor, O.B. Ayeleso, called nine witnesses and tendered defendants statements, one black axe, 15 SIM cards, phones, Sienna Space Bus, photographs among others as exhibits to prove his case.

The defendants spoke in their own defense through their counsels, Ogunremi Opeyemi and Oluwatoyin Marcus called no witness.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso, said the offence of conspiracy is embedded in the agreement or plot between the parties.

“It is normally deduced from the act by the parties which is focused towards the realization of the common or mutual criminally purposes.

“I finally resolved all the issues in favour of the prosecution against the defendants.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 upon your souls, the judge pronounced.”