An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced four people to death by hanging on a four-count charge.

The condemned inmates were arraigned on September 1, 2022, before Justice Lekan Olatawura on a four-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and illegal possession of firearm.

The charges read that, “all the defendants on May 5, 2022, along the immigration office, Ado Ekiti, did conspire to commit felony to wit, kidnapping and murder”.

“Also, on the same day did kidnap one Chief Ajayi Emmanuel in his house and later murdered him.

“Four cut-to-size single-barrel guns and 13 live cartridges were found in their possession,” the charges added.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to sections 516A , 3(a), 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Prohibition) Act, Cap R11, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2001.

In his testimony before the court, a police officer, Sergeant Oladele Ayodeji, said one of the suspects was arrested at a robbery scene at Ekute.

“One Akeem Banjo Adebayo, who later escaped, was arrested at a robbery scene at Ekute in Ado Ekiti. After interrogation, he confessed to being a kidnapper while Jimoh Dele and Bunmi Ogunremi were among his gang.

“Other defendants were arrested at different locations. During the police search, four locally made single-barrel guns (cut to size), 13 live cartridges, and some hair attachments, which were concealed in a sack in the house, were found in possession of Jimoh Dele,” he concluded.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called two witnesses and tendered the statement of the defendants, certificate of compliance, four cut-to-size guns, video disc, medical report from ABUAD MSH, among others as exhibits.

The defendants spoke in their own defence, through their respective counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke and Olugbolaga Sunday, but called no witness.

In his judgment, Justice Olalekan Olatawura said, “From the confessional statement of the first, second and third defendants, they are serial kidnappers, armed robbers and house breakers while Bunmi Ogunremi was an ex-convict.

“The society will be better off if persons of grave criminal disposition like these heartless defendants are perpetually kept away for good.

“In any event, the punishments for the offences charged are strict and permit no exercise of discretion.”

“Consequent upon the foregoing, the defendants, on conspiracy, were sentenced to 21 years imprisonment each, on illegal possession of firearms; Dele Jimoh is sentenced to 10years imprisonment and a fine of #20,000, while others were discharged and acquitted.

“On kidnapping and murder, the sentence of the court upon all the defendants is that they be hanged by the neck until they are dead; may God have mercy on your souls. The sentences are to run concurrently,” the judge pronounced. (Channels TV)