Kwara hails death sentence for five Offa bank robbers

The Kwara State Government on Thursday commended the judgment that convicted the five suspects involved in the Offa bank robbery to death describing it as a “triumph of good over evil.”

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, said, “It heaves a great sigh of relief at the judgment of the State High Court, which convicted the five criminals involved in the armed robbery in Offa.”

Justice Haleema Salman had earlier convicted and sentenced the five suspects to death by hanging for their involvement in the bank robbery of April 5, 2018.

Those convicted for the robbery included Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham.

The sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer arrested with the suspects, had died while in custody before the trial began.

The convicts were tried on five counts of conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery.

All five convicts pleaded not guilty to the offence, which they did individually.

As the case progressed, the convicts pleaded various alibis contrary to their confessional statements in a desperate bid to cover up their involvement in the crime.

The court heard during the trial that no fewer than 32 people, comprising nine police officers, including two women, were killed during the robbery of five banks located in the ancient town of Offa in Offa Local Government Area while the police station was also attacked.

The trial of the accused persons lasted over six years in the court.

Delivering the judgment, which lasted for about four hours, Justice Salman said there was abundant evidence that the convicts were partners in crime, adding that their material contradictions watered down their alibis and made them worthless.

After reviewing the evidence, the judge said, “The video clips in the court to show the culpability of the defendants made their alibis worthless, a desperate attempt to cover up and afterthought.

“The law is clear that once a person is present at the scene of a crime, such a person is culpable. Any person who fires an AK47 close at a person should know that the consequence is death.”

Salman said the prosecution proved the offences against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The five defendants are hereby convicted for bordering on illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery and culpable homicide punishable by death.

“I order that the five of you are to be hanged untill you are pronounced dead.”

The judge also handed down three years imprisonment on each of the convicts for the offence of illegal possession of firearms based on the Penal Code Law of Nigeria.

Justice Salman added that “the convicts acted contrary to law and misbehaved by allowing their connections with the powers-that-be in government then lead them astray.”

The persecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, expressed satisfaction over the verdict appreciating the judge for being thorough despite several distractions that made the case prolonged.

The defence counsel representing the convicts, Abdullah Jimba, who stood for Mr Mathias Emeribe during the judgment, said the judgement was not unexpected, noting that his principal had already combined all necessary documents for the appeal.

The Kwara State Government said it was a melancholic incident that could never be forgotten in the history of the state.

“The government is happy that justice has been served to the victims of that unforgivable crime, their families and loved ones, to the state against which the crime was committed, and to the criminals themselves. The judgment is a triumph of good and the rule of law over evil and impunity!

“The government commends the firmness and erudition of the court on this important case. History will not forget the forthrightness of the court.

“We also commend the resourcefulness, hard work, commitment, and brilliance of the government team, which is led by the inimitable Rotimi Jacob SAN. We also commend every member of the team from the Kwara State Ministry of Justice. We thank them for giving life to the case after the initial conspiracies to sabotage it.

It noted that the judgment was a clear and bold statement that such horrible behaviour would never be tolerated from anyone or any quarters, no matter who the enablers are.