An Osun State High Court sitting has sentenced four men to death by hanging for offences bordering on armed robbery and murder of one Victor Akinbile. This was made known by a relative of the immediate past Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi on Monday.Information Guide Nigeria
On October 23, 2019, the prisoners, Hammed Rafiu, 37; Rasidi Waidi, 39; Kayode Sunday, 29; and Owolabi Bashiru, 54, were arraigned before Justice Jide Falola on six charges of armed robbery and murder.
Akintayo informed the court that one of the defendants, Owolabi, a security guard working in a property opposite where the victim wished to spend the night, notified others about his presence.
He claimed that four men armed with hazardous weapons forced their way into the victim’s room and demanded N10 million, adding that Akinbile eventually transferred N3 million to a bank account belonging to one of the assailants and gave them the cash he had with him.
After receiving the money, the four guys allegedly confined the deceased in the trunk of his Toyota Camry and drove him to a location along the Osogbo/Ikirun road, where they set fire to the vehicle.NYSC portal
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They had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
While giving the facts of the case, Prosecution Counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, stated that Akinbile came to Osun on November 26, 2018, for the swearing-in ceremony of the former governor, Adeboyega Oyetola, and went to Ikirun to pass the night when he was abducted by the four men.JAMB portal
The defendants’ attorneys, Ajibade and Adedayo Adedeji, had previously told the court that there was no evidence that they met before carrying out the deed.
In his decision, Justice Falola stated that the prosecution’s lawyer had proven his case beyond a reasonable doubt and condemned the four men to death by hanging.
He further ruled that the money recovered from the inmates, as well as the money in their bank accounts, should be given to the deceased’s wife.
He further stated that owing to the enormity of the crimes they committed, none of the offenders should be granted a state pardon.
In a related incident, Justice Falola sentenced Mutiu Azeez (a.k.a. Tompolo), 41, and Afolabi Mayowa, 35, to death by hanging on Monday for armed robbery and murder.
Dele Akintayo, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court that on July 1, 2018, between 6 and 7 a.m., the defendants asked a commercial motorbike driver to transport them to Egbeda.
He went on to say that the rider, Mayowa Olatokun, was already transporting the men to the agreed-upon location when they abruptly halted and pulled him into the bush, where he was slain and his motorcycle was stolen away.JAMB Result
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