Three people were sentenced to death by hanging after stealing phones, chargers, and sandals. Ekiti State

On Monday, May 15, an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti sentenced three people to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

On January 21, 2020, the defendants, Omotayo Deji, 23, Chidiebere Ifeanyi, 25, and Bolaji Usman, 28, were arraigned before Justice Bamidele Omotoso on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

According to the charge, on “May 6, 2019, at Aba Erinfun, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti in Ado Ekiti Judicial Division, the defendants conspired to commit a felony, namely armed robbery and robbed Ademiloye Stephen, Olokuntoye Temitope, and Ajayi Kolade of their belongings, such as phones, laptop computers, sandals, phone chargers, and power banks

As of the robbery, banks were valued at M186,000. They were armed with a cutlass and a plank of wood.”

The alleged offenses, according to the charges, violated Sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“We were sleeping in our room at about 2:30 a.m., suddenly, I heard a loud sound on the door, immediately, we woke up, I saw the defendants armed with a cutlass and a wooden plank, immediately, they broke the electric bulb with the plank in their hand,” one of the victims said in his police statement.

They told us to lie down and bring out all of our money. We informed them of this.

We were students with no money, so they began beating us on the back with sticks and cutlasses.

“They then began collecting our phones, laptops, chargers, sandals, power banks, and other items I couldn’t recall and fled.” We later yelled for help, but no one came out.”

Without calling witnesses, the defendants testified through their attorneys.

“I am of the strong opinion that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt the offence of armed robbery against the defendants,” Justice Bamidele Omotoso stated in his decision.

“They are hereby found guilty and convicted of the crime of armed robbery.”

“The court has sentenced you, Omotayo Deji, Chidiebere Ifeanyi, and Bolaji Usman, to be hanged by the neck.”