An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo today, Thursday, April 18, sentenced a 34-year-old businessman, Kola Adeyemi, and a battery charger, Wasiu Afolayan (36yrs) to death by hanging over armed robbery and murder.
The prosecution counsel, Bewaji Adeniji from the Ministry of Justice, upon arraignment, dragged the two before Justice Ayo Oyebiyi on four counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of arms, reports The Nation.
He noted that the offences are 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.
However, the convicts pleaded not guilty to the offences pressed against them.
Subsequently, Adeniji told the Court that on December 7th, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Afolayan and Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed people living in that community.
Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime.
“Before the arrest, Afolayan (a battery charger) and Adeyemi (a spare part dealer) had robbed 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 on 28th November 2018.”
The prosecutor called six witnesses to prove his case and tendered exhibits including the extra judicial statements of the convicts which defence counsel, Adeshina Olaniyan opposed.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Oyebiyi said prosecuting counsel has proved the charges against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt and found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
Justice Oyebiyi thereafter sentenced them to death by hanging.
