Court sentences two to death by hanging in Osun

• The convicts were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted robbery, armed robbery, possession of firearms and murder

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, on Thursday, sentenced two convicts to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder.

The convicts, Wasiu Afolayan, 36 , and Kola Adeyemi, 34, were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted robbery, armed robbery, possession of firearms and murder.

At their arraignment, the convicts pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Ayo Oyebiyi held that the prosecution having proved the charges against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt, he found them guilty of the offences preferred against them.

The state prosecution counsel, Mr Bewaji Adeniji , had told the court during trial that the convicts committed the offences in December 2018 at No. 16, Oke Onitea, C.A.C. Area, Osogbo.

He said that Afolayan and Adeyemi besieged the area to rob some residents of the community.

“Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime while police investigation led to the arrest of Adeyemi at Ikire,” the prosecution counsel said.

Adeniji further said that the same armed robbery gang in November 2018 robbed residents at No. 3, Oduola Street, Igbona Area in Osogbo and carted away valuable items.

He said that the robbery operation led to the shooting to death of Olaniyi Adewale who was a resident in the compound.

Adeniji said that the offences contravened provisions of sections 1(1), (2) and 3 (a)(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

While the offence of murder contravenes sections 324, 316 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of the Osun State, 2002.

Counsel to the convicts, Mr Adeshina Olaniyan , pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convicts.