Court sentences 5 to death for 2018 Offa Bank Robbery

A High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced five men charged with the Offa bank robbery incident to death by hanging.

The court convictedAyoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham.

Delivering judgement, Justice Haleema Saliman held that the five defendants were found guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of fire arms.

Saliman said that the defendants caused the deaths of people, including police officers and civilians, during the armed robbery in Offa in April 2018, which is punishable by death.

Speaking after the verdict, the lead prosecuting counsel,Rotimi Jacob, SAN, said that the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Jacob said that the six years spent on the case were worth it, as evidence clearly showed that the convicts were involved in the robbery and killings.

Also speaking, the lead defence counsel, Nathaniel Emeribe, represented by Abdullahi Jimba, said that the judgement was not surprising, considering the evidence presented in court.

He, however, said that in line with the case of AG Oyo state with Bello, there would definitely be an appeal, and records would be compiled and moved to the court of appeal.

Supreme News reports that the prime suspect, a policeman, Michael Adikwu, died in police custody during the trial while the remaining five pleaded for mercy but were convicted.