Court sentences Offa bank robbery convicts to death by hanging

Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, yesterday sentenced five suspects in the Offa bank robbery case to death by hanging. The judge ruled that they be executed six years after the robbery operation in the ancient town of Offa.

Six suspects: a police officer, Michael Adikwu (now deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the incident on April 5, 2018. Adikwu, the leader of the robbery attack, died in police custody, while the remaining five pleaded not guilty in court.

The remaining five suspects standing trial were present in court. According to the court, the convicts robbed and killed over 30 innocent citizens, including nine police officers, during the bloody robbery attack.

The judgement was to be delivered on August 2 but was adjourned to yesterday because of the nationwide protest in August. Salman found the suspects guilty of the offences of culpable homicide and armed robbery, among others and ordered that they be hanged to death.

The court also sentenced the suspects to three years imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms based on the penal code law. Justice Salman added that the convicts acted contrary to the law and misbehaved by allowing their connections with influential people in government to lead them astray.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, appreciating the judge’s thoroughness despite several distractions that prolonged the case.

Also, the counsel for the convicts, Nathaniel Emeribe, represented in court by A. S. Abdullahi, said that the judgement was expected, noting that his principal is already compiling all necessary documents for the appeal.