Man bags death sentence for armed robbery in Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a man, Kingsley Okorowande, to death by hanging after being found guilty of armed robbery. The presiding judge, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the convict’s offence contradicted Section 1(2)(a) of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014. Delivering the judgment on […]

An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a man, Kingsley Okorowande, to death by hanging after being found guilty of armed robbery.

The presiding judge, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the convict’s offence contradicted Section 1(2)(a) of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014.

Delivering the judgment on Wednesday the judge held that the prosecution had proved the case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

The charge sheet said the incident occurred on or about the 6th day of November, 2013 at Ori Apata Natha area of Basiri, Ado-Ekiti.

Okorowande robbed one Mrs. Medinat Babatunde of her laptops, handsets, jewelry, wristwatches and a sum of N210,000.00 while armed with offensive weapons such as guns and cutlasses.

The convict had pleaded not guilty when he was first arraigned on 21st February, 2017 when the charge was read to him.

Four of the six suspects who were initially arraigned for the offence escaped during the Ado-Ekiti prison jailbreak. They were Eze Stephen, Toyin Faturoti, Ojo Gboyega and Alomaja Sunkanmi.

The fifth accused person, Sulaimon Sunday, who was on bail, jumped bail. The charges were later split to give room for the speedy trial of the convict.

Prosecution counsel, Mr. Ayodeji Jayeoba, called four witnesses including two police officers and the complainant but the defence counsel, Mr. Lekan Olatawura, did not call any witness during the trial.

Dangerous weapons such as a hammer, a saw-blade, a live cartridge, cut-to-size pistol and a statement of the accused were tendered as exhibits.

Justice Ogunmoye ruled: "From the evidence before me, the prosecutor definitely had an upper hand in proclamation of his gospel before me that he had succeeded in convincing me.

"The prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant. In all, the sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution. The defendant is guilty as charged for armed robbery.

“The mandatory sentence in a case of the defendant convicted for armed robbery is death penalty."

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on your soul.”