The Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court on Friday sentenced four men to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery.
The convicts, Noah Tosin (27), Adewale Oke (29), Abdulsalam Abib (23), and Ayodele Sunday (39), were found guilty on three counts: conspiracy, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property.
Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi handed down the death sentence after determining that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The convicts were involved in a robbery on September 16, 2019, during which they stole from Dr. Benedict Asuelimen and his wife in Akure.
Prosecuting counsel, Tolu Abisagbo, detailed that the stolen items included a Toyota Highlander 2000 model with the number plate FST 916 DN, valued at N84,200,000, a Samsung J6 Android phone worth N63,000, a Techno phone valued at N53,000, and an ITEL phone worth N14,000.
Following a series of proceedings and arguments from both the prosecuting and defense counsel, Justice Fasanmi found the convicts guilty.
“The prosecution proved the case of conspiracy, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” he stated.
In addition to the death sentences, Justice Fasanmi noted that the prosecution could not present sufficient evidence against three other individuals, Deosun Bamidele (45), Omotuase Sunday (46), and Abner Emmanuel (45), who were also accused.
Consequently, Bamidele and Sunday were discharged and acquitted of all charges.
However, Emmanuel was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a N200,000 fine for receiving the stolen Toyota Highlander, with the knowledge that it had been obtained through robbery.
