The Ondo State High Court in Akure, the state capital, has handed down death sentences to six individuals the over their involvement in bank robberies which took place in Akure and Idanre in 2011.
The convicts include a pastor Adewale Adelu, and five other individuals, Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho, were found guilty of robbing two commercial banks in Akure and Idanre on November 19 and December 8, 2011 in Akure and Idanre respectively.
They were arrested by the state police command and subsequently charged, and the court delivered its judgment on Tuesday.
The trial commenced with the arraignment of the convicts on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. Following the proceedings, they were remanded in Olokuta Correctional Centre.
The prosecuting counsel F.K Salami detailed the allegations, stating that the convicts, were armed with AK-47 guns and other weapons, conspired to rob a Diamond Bank branch in Akure, after which they made away with N30 million and different brand of phones, including other valuable property.
The second incident involved the robbery of First Bank Plc at Yaba Road, Idanre, on December 8, 2011, at 2 pm, where the convicts were said to have carted away another sum of N4million. The charges contravene Sections 6b, 12a, and b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Throughout the legal proceedings, arguments were presented by both prosecuting and defense counsel, and witnesses were called to testify.
In delivering the judgment, on Tuesday, Justice Yemi Fasanmi asserted that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge noted the unanimity of confessions among the defendants, specifying the roles each played in the robberies.
Consequently, Justice Fasanmi pronounced death sentences by hanging for all six defendants on each count.
