An Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday sentenced five persons to death by hanging for the offences of armed robbery and murder.

The five defendants were also sentenced to 21 years? imprisonment each for the offences of conspiracy.

The defendants, Ojo Tope, Damilola Christopher, Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope and Oyedele Oluwatobi were tried and convicted for committing the offences of armed robbery, murder and conspiracy.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case on behalf of Ekiti State, had told the court, ?The offences were committed by the defendants on the 18th August, 2021 at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue, Odo Ado, Ado Ekiti.

?The defendants robbed Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem lsiaka of their money, laptop computers, mobile phones, and other valuables.

?In the process of the robbery, the five defendants also killed the street night guard, named Joseph Blessing.

?They were arrested and charged to court with the offences of conspiracy, murder and armed robbery contrary to Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, Section 319 of the same law and Section 1 (2)( a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.?

The DPP called four witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits to prove his case before the court.

The defendants were represented by Adeyinka Opaleke, and each of them gave evidence without calling additional witnesses.

Justice Olalekan Olatawura, in the judgment, held that the prosecution proved the counts of armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy against all five defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge consequently convicted all the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder, and 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy. (The PUNCH)

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