A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced Ojo Tosin Olasunkanmi, 31, and Obamoyegun Dele, 31, to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.
Justice Bamidele Omotoso delivered the judgment.
The convicts were arraigned with Adewale David, 36, who died while the case was pending. They were initially charged on 31 January, 2020 and the charge was amended on 25 March, 2025 to six counts of conspiracy and armed robbery contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The charge stated that the defendants conspired and committed armed robbery on August 11, 2018, at Oganganmodu, off Igbole Road, Ido-Ekiti. They had guns and axes.
Items recovered during the operation include mobile phones, a Toyota Sienna Space Bus, cash of ₦120,000, laptop, DVD player, baby flask, cash of ₦20,000 and cash of ₦150,000.
One of the victims, Ojo Bosede, who testified before the court said that she and other family members had travelled from Lagos to attend a wedding in Igbole-Ekiti. She said the attackers came to the gate at about 1:00 a.m., introducing themselves as officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and said they were acting on a tip that hard drugs were kept in the house.
When the occupants refused to open the gate, the assailants climbed over the fence and smashed the burglary proof with a stone to gain entry. They robbed the occupants and stole her Sienna bus. The police were informed of the incident the next day.
The prosecution led by O.B. Ayeleso called nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits including the statements of the defendants, a black axe, 15 SIM cards, mobile phones, the recovered Sienna Space Bus, and photographs.
Counsels Ogunremi Opeyemi and Oluwatoyin Marcus represented the defendants who testified in their own defence but did not call any witness.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Omotoso held that the offence of conspiracy is established by the agreement or plot between parties, deduced from actions intended to achieve a common criminal purpose.
“I finally decided all the issues in favour of the prosecution against the accused. The judge said: “Accordingly, the defendants are convicted on the charges.”
He added: “For conspiracy and armed robbery, this court sentences the defendants, Ojo Tosin Olasunkanmi and Obamoyegun Dele to be hanged by the neck until dead. “God have mercy on your souls.”
