An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced five men to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder.
The convicts — Ojo Tope, Damilola Christopher, Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope, and Oyedele Oluwatobi — were also given 21 years in prison each for conspiracy.
The state government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, told the court that the men committed the crimes on August 18, 2021, at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue in the Odo Ado area of Ado Ekiti.
“They robbed Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem Isiaka of money, laptops, phones, and other items,” Ajibare said.
He added, “During the robbery, they also killed a night guard named Joseph Blessing.”
The prosecutor said their actions went against Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law of Ekiti State, Section 319 of the same law, and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act.
To prove the case, the prosecution called four witnesses and presented 13 exhibits. The five defendants were represented by lawyer Adeyinka Opaleke, and each man gave evidence in court without bringing other witnesses.
Justice Olalekan Olatawura, who delivered the judgment, said the prosecution had clearly proved the case of robbery, murder, and conspiracy against them.
He ruled that all five men be sentenced to death by hanging for robbery and murder, and also to 21 years in prison for conspiracy.
