Offa bank robbery death sentences upheld as Court of Appeal dismisses appeals of five convicts involved in the 2018 attack

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has dismissed the appeals of five men convicted over the 2018 Offa bank robbery, upholding their death sentences.

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The verdict was delivered unanimously on Friday by Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Gabriel Kolawole, and Abdul Dogo.

The five convicts – Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham – were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms in connection with coordinated attacks on five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area in April 2018.

In a statement on Saturday, the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Akande, confirmed that the appellate court found no reason to interfere with the High Court judgement, which had sentenced the convicts to death by hanging.

“The appellants failed to establish any miscarriage of justice. The Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and upheld the convictions,” the statement said.

Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court had handed down the death sentences after a six-year trial that drew nationwide attention.

In her four-hour judgement, the trial judge noted that the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”

In addition to the death penalty, the court imposed three years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.

Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s ruling as “thorough and well-considered,” emphasising that it reaffirmed the strength of the case despite the prolonged trial.

Defence counsel Abdullah Jimba confirmed that preparations were underway to file a final appeal at the Supreme Court.

The 2018 Offa bank robbery remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest, claiming at least 32 lives, including nine police officers. A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial commenced.

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The Court of Appeal ruling signals the continuation of the legal process and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice in high-profile criminal cases.