Ex-Convicts Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Armed Robbery, Kidnapping in Ekiti
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced two ex-convicts, Onileowo Rotimi and Adetola Ayodele, both 42 years old, to death by hanging for their involvement in conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Presiding over the case, Justice Bamidele Omotosho delivered the judgment on a case that began with the arraignment of the duo on June 30, 2017. They were charged with a three-count offence related to an incident that occurred on October 7, 2016, in Abuta, Omuo Ekiti.
According to court records, the two men conspired to rob and kidnap one Mrs. Ajibola Oyelola. The charges cited Sections 516, 402, and 403(A) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, as well as Section 3(a)(b) of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law, 2015.
Testifying before the court, Mrs. Oyelola recounted the terrifying ordeal. She said she was cooking around 8:30 p.m. when five armed men stormed her home, demanded the whereabouts of her husband, and claimed he had offended their boss. Finding him absent, they stole ₦78,000 and her car, blindfolded her, and tied her hands before abducting her.
“I was taken into the bush and held for eight days,” she said. “On the fourth day, they contacted my husband, demanding ₦40 million ransom. He was only able to raise ₦600,000 with the help of friends and family before they released me. They never wore masks, so I saw their faces clearly.”
The prosecution, led by Akinola Abon, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendants’ statements as evidence. The accused, who were not represented by any additional witnesses, admitted to meeting and becoming friends while previously incarcerated.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated: “I am not in the slightest doubt that the prosecution has fruitfully proved the case of conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery against the defendants. Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of all the offences as charged.”
He sentenced the men to life imprisonment for kidnapping and death by hanging for armed robbery.
“May God have mercy on your souls,” he concluded.
