Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on Thursday, sentenced five suspects mentioned in the Offa bloody 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, in Offa local government area of Kwara State.

According to the court, the convicts robbed and killed over 30 innocent citizens including nine police officers during the bloody robbery attack.

The Guardian Newspaper recalls that the judgement was to be delivered on August 2, 2024, but was adjourned to Thursday because of the August nationwide protest then.

Six suspects: a Policeman, Michael Adikwu (now deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the robbery incident on April 5, 2018, in Offa.

Media reported that Michael 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 on Thursday.

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Justice Haleema Salman began reading the judgement at 9:14 am.

Rotimi Jacob is the lead prosecuting counsel while the lead defence counsel, Nathaniel Emeribe was not in court and was represented by A. S. Abdullahi.

Justice Salman found the quintet guilty of the offence of culpable homicide, armed robbery among others and ordered that they be hung to death.

The court, in the judgement handed down three years imprisonment on the convicts for the offence of 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 power that be in government to lead them astray.

The prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs, expressed satisfaction over the verdict, appreciating the judge for being thorough despite several distractions that made the case be prolonged.

Also, the counsel representing the convicts said the judgement was expected, noting that his principal is already combining all necessary documents for the appeal.