By Aaior K. Comfort
On October 9, 2024, the Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for armed robbery and conspiracy. The convicts, identified as Alexander Solomon (29), Desmond Peter (29), and Eric Tile (30), were found guilty of their crimes committed on July 7, 2022, along the Ilumoba-Aisegba Ekiti Road, Aisegba-Ekiti.
Justice Bamidele Omotoso stated, “I hold that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms against the first, second, and third defendants.” He added, “For the offence of conspiracy and armed robbery, you are all sentenced to death by hanging; may the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
The fourth defendant, Promise Shie (27), was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence against him. The court heard that the convicts faced four counts of charges related to conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Prosecutor Gbemiga Adaramola informed the court that the actions of the convicts violated Sections 6(b), 1(2), and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He explained that the convicts, armed with guns, robbed victims Okey Jude and Jayeoba Ayobami of laptops, phones, and 540,000 naira in cash, among other valuables.
To establish the case, the prosecution called four witnesses and submitted various exhibits, including two guns, phones, laptops, cutlasses, axes, and face masks. The convicts presented their defense through their lawyers but did not call any witnesses.