ARMED ROBBERY: Court sentences man to death by hanging

An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced to death by hanging a middle aged man, Waliu Abifarin, over armed robbery.

The presiding Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who found Abifarin guilty on the strength of evidence adduced before the court by the prosecution, added that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Daramola ruled that Abifarin was guilty of one-count charge of armed robbery contrary to Section 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Vol. 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

According to the charge sheet, Abifarin, on 21st December, 2013 robbed one Shaibu Obanimoh of the sum of N250,000 at Aleja Camp, Idege/Igirigiri Road, Ado-Ekiti, while armed with cutlass and other offensive weapons. He was first arraigned alongside one Haruna Onimisi, who escaped during the 2014 jailbreak from Ado-Ekiti prisons, which caused a setback to the case. Abifarin was again arraigned on 12th May 2016 and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecution counsel, Mojisola Olajiga, called four witnesses and tendered one Bajaj motorcycle, a cutlass and other materials as exhibits.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. A.O. Adeloye, led his client in his evidence but did not call any witness. Daramola said: “Therefore, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the good lord have mercy on your soul.”