Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping

Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping

A High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery and kidnapping.

The convicts identified as 42 year old Onileowo Rotimi, 42 year old Adetola Ayodele were brought before Justice Bamidele Omotoso, on Monday, April 14 on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping.

The charge read, “The convicts on 7th October, 2016 at Abuta Omuo Ekiti did conspire to commit armed robbery, when they robbed one Mrs Ajibola Oyelola and on the same date and place, also conspired to kidnap the victim.

“The offences are contrary to sections 516, 402 and 403 (A) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, also Section 3 (a)(b) of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (prohibition) Laws, 2015.”

The victim gave a detailed account of what transpired while testifying in court.

She said, “I was cooking in the kitchen around 8.30pm, suddenly I saw five gunmen in the living room, they asked of my husband, they said he offended their boss and they are here to kill him and since he was not at home, they collected my car key and a sum of N78,000 I have at home.

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They blindfolded me and also tied my hands, I was ordered to lay face down at the back seat. Before I entered the car, I saw my gateman where his hands and legs were tied with rope. I was taken to an unknown place inside bush, I was with them for eight days.

“They called my husband on the fourth day and demanded for a ransom of N40m, but my husband was able to raise and pay N600,000 gathered from friends and families before I was released.

“They were not masked throughout the time in the bush, I saw their faces clearly.”

To support his case, the prosecutor, Akinola Abon, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendants’ statements as evidence.

The defendants, speaking through their attorney, admitted that they met and became friends while in prison before committing the alleged crimes.

They did not call any witnesses.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said, “The prosecution has fruitfully proved the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery against the defendants.

“Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of all the offences as charged.

“For kidnapping, the defendants are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and for armed robbery, the defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead, may God have mercy on your souls.”

Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping