After 10 years, 6 Akure, Idanre Bank Robbers Sentences To Death

 After more than Ten years of trial, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, of the Ondo state High Court has sentenced to death the six armed robbers who raided to banks in Akure and Idanre in 2011.

 The six-member robbery gang sentenced to death by hanging by the trial Judge included Evangelist Adewale Adelu,  Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho.

They were found guilty of robbing two commercial banks in Akure and Idanre on November 19 and December 8, 2011.

 The convicts stole N30 million from Diamond Bank Plc, Akure, various brands of phones from the bank’s customers, and a further N4 million which they robbed from First Bank Plc in Idanre.

The convicts were arraigned on July 14, 2022, on four counts charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.

They were remanded to the Olokuta Correctional Centre after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The offences contravene Sections 6b, 1 2a, and b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004

Prosecuting  Counsel, F.K Salami told the court that the convicts also attacked a church around Adaba FM, Ilara-Mokin at 12:45 pm, and robbed two pastors, Jeremiah Adanlawo and D.O Ajayi of their cars with number plates JU522EKY and JV322EKY respectively.

One of the prosecution witnesses said the robbers gained entrance into the banking hall while armed with guns.

We suddenly heard sporadic gunshots in the bank premises. And they thereafter, blasted the bank's entrance to gain access to the banking hall.

“One of the masked robbers asked me to open the box and he packed away all the money in the box, including naira and dollars. And in the process, a policeman identified as Olowoyelu was shot dead,” the witness said.

Presiding Judge, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, who handed down the death sentence, said the prosecution proved the offence of armed robbery against all the convicts beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Fasanmi noted that even though no eyewitness and evidence directly linked the defendants to the commission of the crime, the confessional statements of each of the defendants corroborated with the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, including the evidence of their arrest and how they were arrested.

He held that the offence of conspiracy was proven beyond doubt as the robbery was coordinated via phone call by the second defendant, Evangelist Adelu who resides in Akure.

Justice Fasanmi found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging in each of the counts