An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for crimes including armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy. The court also sentenced them to life imprisonment for attempted murder.
The individuals are Ogunleye Sola, Adebayo Ebenezer, Lasisi Afeez, and Ojo Oba. The court found them guilty of committing these crimes on May 29, 2017, at Oyan Orete Camp in Ijan Ekiti.
During the incident, the defendants robbed the camp occupants at gunpoint, murdered Olasunkanmi Ramon, and attacked Alhaji Adeleye Usman with a cutlass, causing serious head injuries.
“The offences committed by the four defendants are contrary to Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004; Murder and Attempt to Murder contrary to sections 319(1) and 320 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012,” the charge read.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, represented Ekiti State and called five witnesses while presenting seven exhibits to support the case against the defendants. The defendants, through their lawyers Chris Omokhafe and Oluwaseun Banji, provided their defense and called two additional witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Olukayode Ogundana stated that the prosecution had proven all charges beyond reasonable doubt.
As a result, he convicted the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. Additionally, they were sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder.
