A 30-year-old man, Bello Abduquadril, has been sentenced to death by hanging by Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado- Ekiti for armed robbery.
The convict, who was standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery, was arraigned before Justice Olalekan Olatawura on March 8, 2023.
Abdulquadril and another at large, according to the charge, commited the crime on March 22, 2023 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the court.
He reportedly conspired with the man on the run to rob one Taiwo Owolabi of his phone and Jincheng Lady Motorcycle while armed with offensive weapons, to wit, gun and cutlass at the time of the robbery.
The offences are contrary to sections 314 and 312 (2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The victim, in his evidence before the court said, “Myself and my brother were on our Lady Bike with registration GED 933 QD, going home on that day, on our way, we suddenly saw two men on Bajaj motorcycle, they blocked us and immediately, brought out a gun and cutlass. They beat us with the cutlass and threatened to kill us if we failed to cooperate. Thereafter, they dispossessed me of my phone and the Lady Bike and ran away with it, we went to report the case at Amotekun office.
The prosecutor Adeola Johnson called three witnesses and tendered defendant statements, motorcycle particulars, receipts, search warrant among others as exhibits to prove his case.
The defendant who called no witness spoke through his counsel E.K. Adetifa who pleaded to court to temper justice with mercy.
In his judgment, Justice Olatawura said, “I am therefore satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant conspired with another person to commit the offence.
“Consequent upon the foregoing the defendant is found guilty of the offences of conspiracy and armed robbery as charged.
“On conspiracy, the defendant is sentenced to seven years imprisonment and in count 2 (Armed Robbery) the sentence of the count upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead and may God have mercy on your soul.’’
