MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two notorious armed robbers, Afolayan and Adeyemi, will be spending their last days in prison custody having been sentenced to death by hanging for robbery operations in Osun State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, which found the duo guilty of armed robbery after the prosecution was able prove that they actually committed the alleged crime under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The Presiding Judge, Ayo Oyebiyi, gave the judgment after it was established that they were serial robbers, who had engaged in many robbery operations within Osogbo metropolis.
The convicts were arraigned on four counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, 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.
They pleaded not guilty hence the trial.
The prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Bewaji Adeniji, during the trial, told the Court that on 7th December, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Afolayan and Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed residents.
Afolayan, who was arrested at the scene of the crime, during interrogation told the Police about Adeyemi’s involvement, which led to him being arrested in Ikire town.
Before they were caught, the same gang had on November 26, 2018, engaged in a robbery operation at No. 3, Oduola Street, Igbona Area, Osogbo, where they shot dead one Olaniyi Adewale.
Also during the trial, Adeniji called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits including the extra-judicial statements made at both Divisional Police Headquarters and SCID in Osun Command Headquarters.
The defence counsel, Ayodele Olaniyan, pleaded for the Court’s leniency, saying his clients were first-time offenders.
However, Justice Oyebiyi while delivering his judgement said that prosecuting counsel was able to prove the charges against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
He found them guilty as charged and sentenced them to death by hanging.