Man to die by hanging for robbing church worshippers

An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced one Alonge Ajayi to death by hanging after being found guilty of armed robbery.

Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who handed down the sentence, held that the prosecution has proved the case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge ruled that Ajayi, aged 22, by the commission of the crime offended Section 402 of the Criminal Law Code Cap C16 Vol 1 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

According to the charge sheet, Ajayi, who was a member of a three-man robbery gang, had on October 30, 2016 robbed three worshippers who were coming from the church in Ikere-Ekiti.

The victims, who testified in court, said the gang who rode on a motorcycle followed them into their compound and pointed guns at them. Items stolen from them include mobile phones, a sum of N100,000 and other valuables.

Two other members of the gang were killed during a gun duel with the police at another location but Ajayi was arrested alongside the motorcycle. He was first arraigned in court on February 27, 2018 and pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The prosecution, led by former Attorney General, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits including two guns, five live cartridges, phones, a Bajaj motorcycle, Indian hemp and statement of the accused.

Ajayi, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Kayode Oyeyemi, did not call any witness in the course of the trial.

Justice Ogunmoye ruled: “The prosecutor has proved his case beyond all reasonable doubt. The accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging until he be dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”