Kwara court death sentence for three men convicted of armed robbery as Justice Folorunso delivers emotional judgment and acquits two women

Kwara court death sentence has been delivered against three men convicted of armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, with Justice M.O. Folorunso of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin sentencing them to death by hanging.

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The convicts were found guilty of robbing a man of his Infinix Note 11 phone at gunpoint on 2 March 2024, around 6:00 a.m. in the Oko Erin area of Ilorin.

During yesterday’s judgment, Justice Folorunso, visibly emotional, reportedly wept before announcing the verdict.

“The three of you shall be hanged by the neck until you die,” the judge declared in a trembling voice, drawing solemn silence from the courtroom.

In the same ruling, however, the court discharged and acquitted two women including a pregnant mother who had faced separate charges of unlawful possession of firearms, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.

The women, identified as Aisha Haruna and Rabi Umar, were arrested on 25 June 2025 by officers of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Council.

They had been travelling in a vehicle later found to contain an assault rifle and 31 rounds of live ammunition. Other suspects in the vehicle reportedly escaped arrest.

During the trial, the prosecution led by Senior State Counsel I.B. Olorundare alleged that the women were intercepted by police and vigilantes around 5:00 p.m. on suspicion of criminal activity.

But in a judgment lasting over an hour, Justice Folorunso ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court cited contradictions in the police testimony, noting that while a rifle was recovered, evidence failed to clarify whether it was an AK-47 or AK-49, nor did it directly link the women to any unlawful act.

Consequently, the judge ordered the immediate release of Aisha Haruna and Rabi Umar and instructed their counsel to provide transport fare for their return to their homes in Kaduna and Kanmbi community, Moro Local Council.

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The ruling underscores the court’s insistence on credible evidence in criminal proceedings while reaffirming the ultimate penalty for armed robbery under Nigerian law.