An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced two middle-aged men to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The court presided over by Justice Ayo Oyebiyi convicted the duo of Wasiu Afolayan, 36, a battery charger and Kola Adeyemi, 34, a spare parts dealer on Thursday, April 18.
They were arraigned before the Court on a five-count charge of conspiracy “Contrary to Sections 6(b) and punishable under 1(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap. R.11 Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004;
“Armed Robbery contrary to and punishable under section 1(1) and (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004;
“Attempted Armed Robbery contrary to and punishable under section 2 (1) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and
“Unlawful Possession of Arms contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Murder contrary to and punishable under section 324, 316 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of the Osun State, 2002.”
They pleaded not guilty to the offences preferred against them.
Prosecuting Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Bewaji Adeniji told the Court that “on the December 7, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Wasiu Afolayan and kola Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed people living in that community.
“Wasiu Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime, while Police investigation led to the arrest of Kola Adeyemi at Ikire through the confession of wasiu Afolayan who mentioned him as his co-gang member.”
Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the same armed robbery gang on November 26, 2018, earlier robbed the No. 3, Oduola, Street, Igbona area, Osogbo, Osun State, where they carted away belongings of the of the residents and also shot to death one Olaniyi Adewale during the robbery operation and escaped.
Justice Oyebiyi in his judgment said that the prosecuting counsel had proved the charges against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt and found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
Counsel to the suspects, Adeshina Olaniyan had earlier pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy because his clients were first offenders.