The Ado-Ekiti State High Court has sentenced three persons to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

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

Delivering his judgement, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the charge preferred against the defendants.

‘’The sentence of the court upon you, Omotayo Deji, Chidiebere Ifeanyin, and Bolaji Usman is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead and may the Lord have mercy on your souls,” Mr Omotosho said.

Earlier, the prosecution said the convicts, on May 6, 2019, broke into a students’ private hostel at Aba Erinfun, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti and robbed the occupants of valuables.

The prosecution counsel, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, told the court that the convicts robbed occupants of the hostel, including Stephen Ademiloye, Temitope Olokuntoye and Kolade Ajayi, of their belongings.

The charge listed the items stolen to include phones, laptop computer, sandals, phone chargers, and power banks valued at N186,000 as of the time of the robbery.

The charge also indicated that the convicts were armed with cutlass and wooden plank when the robbery was committed.

Mr Adeyemo called one witness and tendered statements of the victims and phones, among others, as exhibits.

The prosecution said the offence contravened 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.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the count charges preferred against them but did not call any witness to give evidence during the trial.

(NAN)