An Ekiti High Court in Ado-Ekiti has imposed an Ekiti armed robbery death sentence on three men convicted of conspiracy and robbery offences

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday sentenced three men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery.

Also read: Ekiti Court sentences three to death for armed robbery

Justice Lekan Ogunmoye convicted Lasisi Afeez, also known as Yemi SARS, 33, Ilesanmi Seun, 32, and Ajewole Peter, 53, on three counts relating to conspiracy and armed robbery, following a trial that spanned several months.

The Ekiti armed robbery death sentence arose from offences committed on March 29, 2022, when the convicts, armed with guns and cutlasses, attacked victims at Ado-Ekiti and dispossessed them of valuables, including a vehicle, mobile phones, cash and personal effects.

According to the charge, the defendants robbed Ojo Dada Emmanuel of his Toyota Corolla car, wedding ring, ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops and N70,000 in cash.

On the same date and location, they were also said to have robbed Balogun Ahmed of two mobile phones and N2,200.

The prosecution further alleged that the men were found in unlawful possession of a long double-barrel gun and live cartridges, contrary to the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Testifying before the court, Ojo said the convicts stormed a hospital premises around 11:00 p.m. while he was preparing for a medical procedure, assaulted those present and fled with his belongings and vehicle.

He told the court that the stolen car was later recovered by the police after being sold, and was identified through its chassis number.

To establish its case, the prosecution counsel, Julius Ajibare, called three witnesses and tendered exhibits including vehicle documents, firearms, mobile phones and live ammunition.

The defendants denied the allegations but called no witnesses in their defence.

In his judgement, Justice Ogunmoye held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on the counts of conspiracy and armed robbery, while the defendants were discharged and acquitted on the count relating to unlawful possession of firearms.