Breaking: 5 Offa Robbery Suspects To Die By Hanging

5 Offa robbery suspects are to die by hanging, the Kwara State High Court has ruled, five years after the crime was committed.

The court presided over by Justice Haleemah Salman found the five suspects, guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide, offences she said were punishable by death.

The Eagle reports that the robbery incident, which occurred at five banks in Offa Local Government Area in 2018, left no fewer than 32 people dead.

Among the dead were nine police officers, two of whom were women.

Upon arraignment,  a five-count charge, including conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery were slammed on the suspects.

The five, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham were therefore sentenced accordingly, but the the sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody.

The delivery of the judgment lasted over five hours, culminating in the sentencing of the five to death by hanging.

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“The convicts acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray”, Justice Salman said.

However, the defence counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba, has said they were preparing for an appeal.

On the other hand, the lead prosecution counsel and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Barrister Rotimi Jacobs commended the judge for he described as her thoroughness all through the trial.

Justice Salman in about five hours of judgement she delivered in Ilorin on Thursday stated that these offences were punishable by death and therefore sentenced them to death by hanging.

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