Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on Thursday sentenced two middle-aged men to death by hanging for offences bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of arms and murder.
The convicts, Wasiu Afolayan (36), a battery charger; and Kola Adeyemi (34), a spare part dealer said to have been brought before the court for the above charges
The prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Bewaji Adeniji, had during the trial told the Court that the convicts committed the crimes on December 7, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo.
According to him, the offences were contrary to Sections 6(b), section 1(1) and (2) (a), Section 2 (1) (a), 3(1) punishable under 1(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) act Cap. R.11 Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 324, 316 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of the Osun State, 2002.
He told the court also that during the trial, Wasiu Afolayan and Kola Adeyemi laid siege in the area and robbed people living in the community and that, while Afolayan was nabbed at the scene of the crime, a police investigation led to the arrest of Adeyemi at Ikire through the confessional statement of the Wasiu Afolayan who named him as his accomplice.
Meanwhile, the convicts are said to have earlier robbed on the 26th day of November 2018, at No. 3, Oduola, Street, Igbona area, Osogbo, Osun State, where they carted away valuables belonging to the residents of the area and killed one Olaniyi Adewale with a gun during the rubbery operation and escaped.
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During the trial, Barrister Bewaji called six witnesses to prove his case and tendered several exhibits including the extra-judicial statements made at both Divisional Police Headquarters and SCID.
They however pleaded not guilty to the offences when the charge sheet was read to them and their counsel, Barrister Adeshina Ayodele Olaniyan, pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy on the ground that his clients are first offenders.
In his judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Oyebiyi sentenced the duo to death by hanging, saying the prosecuting counsel proved the charges against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt and found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
