An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced Benjamin Joseph (32) and Stephen Orban (25) to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The convicts were arraigned on December 30, 2022, on a four-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
The charge read, “On 16th August 2022 along Iluomoba Road, Aisegba Ekiti did conspire to commit a felony, to wit; armed robbery.
At the time of the robbery, they were armed with locally made guns, knives, and cutlasses and robbed Daramola Christiana and Ajayi Alaba of their belongings such as phones, power bank, creams, drugs, ATM cards, and N105,000 cash among others.
The offences are contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
During the trial, one of the victims, a trader, testified that four armed men attacked them at a barricaded point along Omuo–Ado Ekiti Road.
She recounted, “They collected our phones, power bank, other valuables, and a cash sum of N105,000.00 and ran into the bush.
I was rescued by a sympathizer, but the driver drove back to Omuo and made a formal complaint to the police.”
The prosecutor, Ibironke Odetola, presented six witnesses and submitted various items as exhibits, including charms, phones, camouflage underwear, a hammer, three hoods, fake Dollar notes, and cutlasses.
The defence, led by lawyer Adeyinka Opaleke, called no witnesses.
In delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Blessing Ajileye stated that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the armed robbery occurred on August 16, 2022.
Finding the two men guilty, Justice Ajileye declared, “Consequently, the sentence of this court upon Benjamin Joseph and Stephen Orban is that they are hanged by the neck until they are dead.
May God have mercy on your souls.”
