An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced three men to death by hanging for armed robbery. The court delivered the verdict on Wednesday, sentencing Alexander Solomon (29), Desmond Peter (29), and Eric Tile (30) for their roles in the crime. The fourth defendant, Promise Shie (27), was acquitted of all charges.
The court found the three men guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, in violation of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act of Nigeria. The robbery took place on July 7, 2022, along the Ilumoba-Aisegba Ekiti Road. The defendants were accused of stopping two drivers, Okey Jude and Jayeoba Ayobami, at gunpoint and stealing their belongings, which included laptops, phones, and 540,000 Naira in cash.
In his testimony, Jude described the terrifying experience.
“We left Ado Ekiti for Akoko area of Ondo State around 3 p.m. after a day of sales. As we traveled, we were stopped between Ilumoba and Aisegba Ekiti by these men. At first, we thought they were vigilante members enforcing COVID-19 rules. But when they pulled out guns and demanded we lay face down, we realized we were in serious danger,” he said.
Jude continued, “They searched our vehicle and took all our phones, laptops, and cash. We were terrified and helpless.”
After the robbery, Jude and Ayobami met members of the O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) at a roadblock and informed them about the incident.
“The OPC members chased after the robbers while we went to the nearest police station to file a complaint,” Jude added.
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Prosecutor Gbemiga Adaramola presented four witnesses and submitted several items as evidence, including two firearms, phones, laptops, a cutlass, an axe, and facemasks. The defendants chose not to call any witnesses in their defense.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso stated, “I hold that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the offences of conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms against the first, second, and third defendants. Consequently, for the offence of armed robbery, they are all sentenced to death by hanging. May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
Regarding Promise Shie, Justice Omotoso noted that the prosecution did not establish any evidence against him.
“He is accordingly discharged and acquitted,” the judge declared.