From Jimoh Joseph, Ado-Ekiti
Two armed robbers, Michael Adams and Abass Mutiu, have been sentenced to
death by hanging by an Ado-Ekiti High Court for armed robbery and murder.
The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, convicted the duo for
committing armed robbery contrary to Section (1) 2 (a) of the Robbery
and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11, Laws of the Federation
of Nigeria 2014.
Daramola also found them guilty of murder contrary to Section 316 (1)
punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ekiti State,
2015.
The Judge held that the defendants were found guilty of armed robbery and murder as presented before the court on the charge sheet.
He ruled that they will face the supreme punishment for the commission
of the offence of armed robbery and murder.
The judge subsequently imposed death penalty on them for the killing
of Adebola, ordering that they be hanged on the neck until they die.
According to the charge, Adams and Mutiu committed the offences on
22nd January, 2014 at Fiyinfolu Avenue, off Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti when
they robbed one Arowosere Kabiru of N12,800 while armed with dangerous
weapons like guns and cutlasses.
The two convicts in the course of their robbery operation murdered one
Ojo Adebola.
They were arraigned in court for the first time on 1st March, 2016
when the charges were read to them to which they pleaded not guilty.
A legal officer from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution
(DPP), Mrs. D. Oyewole, called four witnesses to prove the case.
Tendered as exhibits are the statement of the accused, Indian hemp,
two motorcycles, cutlasses, cartridges, photographs of the deceased
and photographs of the parade of the convicts by the police.
The accused were led in evidence by the State Director of Legal Aid
Council, Mr. Olaitan Adeloye.
One of the eyewitnesses who was among the victims of the attack
identified the accused persons at the identification parade conducted
by the state police command.
