An Ondo State High Court in Akure has sentenced six individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in bank robberies that occurred in Akure and Idanre in 2011.
The convicts, including a pastor named Adewale Adelu, were found guilty of robbing two commercial banks – Diamond Bank Plc in Akure and First Bank Plc in Idanre — on November 19 and December 8, 2011, respectively.
Other convicts include Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho.
The charges against the defendants included conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. All six were initially remanded in the Olokuta Correctional Centre after their arraignment.
The prosecution, led by F.K. Salami, presented evidence alleging that the group conspired and used weapons such as AK-47 rifles, dynamite, and others to carry out the robberies.
The defendants were accused of stealing N30 million and various valuables from the two banks.
“The convicts on December 8, 2011, at 2 p.m. were also alleged to have robbed First Bank Plc at Yaba Road, Idanre, where they carted away another sum of N4 million.”
“The offences contravene Sections 6b, 1 2a, and b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,” according to the prosecution.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi delivered the verdict on Tuesday, stating that the prosecution had established their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge also said the defendants were unanimous in their confessions and the role each of them played in the robberies.
The court then sentenced all the defendants to death by hanging in each of the counts.
