Ekiti State- Four men on Thursday have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in an armed robbery at a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in Ijan, Ekiti State.
The convicts, Sola Ogunleye, Ebenezer Adebayo, Lasisi Afeez, and Ojo Oba, faced charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy before the Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
Justice L.O. Ogundana, who presided over the case, ordered the execution of the convicts after concluding that the prosecution had convincingly proven their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Julius Ajibare, led the prosecution and presented a compelling case with five witnesses and seven exhibits.
According to the prosecution, the crimes occurred on May 29, 2017, at the Oyan Orete NYSC Camp in Ijan-Ekiti. The convicts were accused of robbing camp residents at gunpoint, resulting in the murder of Olasunkanmi Ramon. Additionally, they attacked Alhaji Usman Adeleye, inflicting severe machete wounds on his head.
Ajibare highlighted that the offenses of armed robbery, attempted murder, and murder violated Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, and Sections 319(1) and 320 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
Despite their pleas of not guilty, the convicts were unable to convince the court of their innocence. Represented by their Counsel, Mr. Chris Omokhafe, and Mr. Oluwaseun Oyebanji, the defense called four men to testify and brought two additional witnesses. However, their efforts were insufficient to counter the prosecution’s evidence.
Justice Ogundana’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in the state’s judicial proceedings, emphasizing the court’s commitment to delivering justice and deterring violent crimes. The conviction and sentencing of Ogunleye, Adebayo, Afeez, and Oba underscore the severe consequences of engaging in armed robbery and violent acts within the community.
