Man bags death sentence for armed robbery

Justice Ayodeji Daramola of an Ado Ekiti High Court on Wednesday sentenced a man, Waliu Abifarin, to death by hanging for armed robbery. Abifarin was found guilty following the weight of evidence laid before the court by the prosecution. The judge said the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. Daramola held that Abifarin […]

Justice Ayodeji Daramola of an Ado Ekiti High Court on Wednesday sentenced a man, Waliu Abifarin, to death by hanging for armed robbery.

Abifarin was found guilty following the weight of evidence laid before the court by the prosecution.

The judge said the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Daramola held that Abifarin was guilty of one-count charge of armed robbery contrary to Section 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Vol. 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The charge sheet read in the court said Abifarin, robbed one Shaibu Obanimoh of the sum of N250,000 at Aleja Camp, Idege/Igirigiri Road, Ado-Ekiti, while armed with cutlass and other offensive weapons on 21st December, 2013.

He was first arraigned alongside one Haruna Onimisi who escaped during the 2014 jailbreak from Ado-Ekiti prisons.

Abifarin was arraigned on 12th May 2016 and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During the trial, prosecution counsel, Mojisola Olajiga, called four witnesses and tendered one Bajaj motorcycle, a cutlass and other materials as exhibits.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. A.O. Adeloye, who did not call any witness, led his client in his evidence.

Daramola said, “Therefore, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May the good Lord have mercy on your soul.”

In a related development, Ekiti State Judiciary is to proceed on Christmas/Year break with effect from Thursday.

A statement on Wednesday signed by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, said the notice was given pursuant to Order 45 Rule (4) (C) of Ekiti State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2011.

It said trial of civil actions in the High Court of Ekiti State shall be suspended between Thursday, 21st December, 2017 till Friday, 5th January, 2018.

Resumption of court activities shall commence from Monday, 8th January, 2018.