By Ope BELLO
Justice Ayo Oyebiyi Biyi of Osun State High Court, Osogbo sentenced two middle-aged men to death by hanging for armed robbery and robbery.
The convicts are Wasiu Afolayan 36 years old, Battery charger and Kola Adeyemi 34 years old, Spare part dealer.
They were arraigned before the Court on five (5) counts charges of Conspiracy contrary to Sections 6(b) and punishable under 1(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap. R.11 Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004; Armed Robbery contrary to and punishable under section 1(1) and (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004; Attempted Armed Robbery contrary to and punishable under section 2 (1) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and Unlawful Possession of Arms contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Murder contrary to and punishable under section 324, 316 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of the Osun State, 2002.
They pleaded not guilty to the offences preferred against them.
Prosecuting Counsel from the Ministry of Justice Barrister Bewaji Adeniji told the Court that on the 7th day of December 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Wasiu Afolayan and kola Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed people living in that community.
Wasiu Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime. While Police investigation led to the arrest of Kola Adeyemi at ikire through the confession of the wasiu Afolayan who mentioned him as his co-gang member.
Meanwhile the same armed robbery gang on the on the 26th day of November, 2018, earlier robbed the at No. 3, Oduola, Street, Igbona area, Osogbo, Osun State, where they carted away belongings of the of the residents and also killed one Olaniyi Adewale with the gun during the rubbery operation and escaped.
During the trial, Barrister Bewaji called six witnesses to prove his case and tendered several exhibits including the extra-judicial statements made at both Divisional Police Headquarters and SCID.
After the arguments in the point of Law between the prosecuting Counsel and defense Counsel Adeshina Ayodele Olaniyan Esq.,
After the arguments in the point of Law between the prosecuting Counsel and defense Counsel Adeshina Ayodele Olaniyan Esq.,
Justice Oyebiyi said that the prosecuting Counsel has proved the charges against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt and found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
Counsel to the convicts Adeshina Olaniyan Esq. Pleaded to the Court to temper justice with mercy because his clients were first offenders.
In his Judgement, Justice Oyebiyi hereby sentenced them to death by hanging.
