The High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has sentenced three persons to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

The defendants – Deji Omotayo, 23, Ifeanyi Chidiebere, 25, and Bolaji Usman, 28 – were arraigned on January 21, 2020, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The prosecution counsel, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, during the trial, said the defendants, on May 6, 2019, broke into a students’ private hostel at Aba Erinfun, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado-Ekiti, and robbed the occupants of their valuables.

Adeyemo told the court that the defendants robbed occupants of the hostel, including Stephen Ademiloye, Temitope Olokuntoye, and Kolade Ajayi of their belongings.

He listed the items stolen to include phones, Laptop computer, sandals, phone chargers, and power banks valued at N186,000, adding that the defendants were armed with cutlass and wooden plank when the robbery was committed.

READ ALSO: Court sentences 2 to death by hanging for killing couple

Adeyemo, who called one witness and tendered statements of the victims and phones, among others as exhibits, said the offences contravened Sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The defendants each pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against them but did not call any witness to give evidence during the trial.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Bamidele Omotoso, while delivering judgement on Monday, May 15, said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the charges preferred against the defendants.

Justice Omotoso said: “I am of the strong opinion that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of armed robbery against the defendants.

“They are hereby found guilty as charged and convicted for the offence of armed robbery.

“The sentence of the court upon you Deji Omotayo, Ifeanyi Chidiebere, and Bolaji Usman is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your souls,” the judge declared.

The Star