Ondo pastor, five others to die by hanging for robbery

An Ondo State High Court in Akure, the state capital, has handed down death sentences to six individuals for their participation in bank robberies that occurred in Akure and Idanre in 2011.

Among those convicted are a pastor, Adewale Adelu, along with Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho.

The court found them guilty of robbing two commercial banks in Akure on November 19 and in Idanre on December 8, 2011.

These individuals were apprehended by the state police command and subsequently brought to trial.

Initially arraigned on four counts, including conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, they were detained at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.

During the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, F.K Salami, presented evidence that the convicts, armed with AK-47 guns and explosives, conspired to rob a branch of Diamond Bank Plc, making off with N30 million and various valuables. On a separate occasion, they robbed First Bank Plc in Idanre, seizing another N4 million.

The charges against them were in violation of Sections 6b, 1 2a, and b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.

Following arguments from both the prosecution and defense, as well as witness testimonies, Justice Yemi Fasanmi rendered a verdict on Tuesday, stating that the prosecution had sufficiently proven its case.

The judge noted that the defendants' confessions and the roles they played in the robberies were consistent.

Consequently, Justice Fasanmi sentenced all defendants to death by hanging for each count.

In a separate incident, Gbenga Akintola was sentenced to 21 years in prison by a court in Akure for his involvement in a robbery. Akintola, apprehended by the Amotekun command and the police in Ondo town in 2021, was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery after using dangerous weapons to rob three individuals of their money and valuables.