An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced four defendants to five years imprisonment each for conspiracy, armed robbery, attempt to murder, burglary, stealing and receiving stolen property.
The convicts Ogunwole Abiodun (a.k.a. abbey senator) (40), Olamide Olorunsola (a.k.a baggi) 49, Bello Tajudeeh (a.k.a Akube) 36, Afeez Kadiri (a.k.a afisu) 28 were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 21/6/22 on six count charge.
The charges read that the defendants on 26th June, 2021 at Ifaki Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did conspire to commit felony, to wit; Armed robbery, Attempt to Murder, Burglary and Stealing on Adeniji Segun, as at the time of the robbery, they were armed with broken bottles, axes, and matchet, contrary to section 516, 402 (2) 320, 411, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
During the robbery, they robbed the victim of his belongings such as hand bag, containing cash sum of #11,000, ATM cards, identity card, LG DVD players, 22 in LG TV, D- jack home theatre and clothes, and as well receive stolen properties.
In his testimony before court, the victim, Adeniji Segun, a commercial driver at Ifaki Ekiti Branch of the NURTW said, I got to the Motor Park in Ifaki at 7:30 am, suddenly, I saw the defendants and others with dangerous weapons, they attacked me with axes, broken bottles, and matchets, they dispossessed me of my hand bag containing cash sum of #11,000, ATM cards, identity card. I sustained various degrees of injuries. I was taken to Police Cottage Hospital and later referred to EKSUTH for comprehensive treatment, when I got home after I was discharged from hospital, I later heard that same people came and burgled my house and carted away my LG Television, D-Jack Home Theatre among others. Thereafter, I reported the matter at the police station, he concluded.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Adeola Arogundade called three witnesses and tendered defendant’s statements, medical reports, photographs, search warrants and bond to release as exhibits. The defendant spoke through the Director, State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council, Adeyinka Opaleke, they called two witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Familoni said, the prosecution has adduced sufficient and satisfactory evidence in the proof of the offence of going armed in public, grievous harm and stealing against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, consequently the defendants are convicted accordingly.
However, the defendant’s were sober during the trial and they showed remorse upon their conviction, the court will be lenient to them.All the defendants are hereby sentenced to five years imprisonment each without the options of fine on counts two and three while Ogunwole Abiodun and Bello Tajudeen are sentenced to five years imprisonment each on count five.
The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from the date they were remanded at the Correctional Center, the judge pronounced.
