Evangelist, five others to die by hanging for armed bank robberies in Ondo
AHIGH Court in Ondo State has sentenced an Akurebased evangelist and five others to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The convicts: Adewale Adelu ( evangelist), Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho.
They were handed the sentence by Justice Yemi Fasanmi for attacking and robbing two commercial banks in Akure and Idanre, 13 years ago.
They robbed the defunct Diamond Bank in Akure, Ondo State capital, and First Bank in Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Council.
Following years of investigation and tracking by security operatives, they were arraigned on July 14, 2022, on a four- count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, and were remanded at the Olokuta correctional centre. According to the prosecuting counsel, the convicts and others at large, while armed with AK- 47 rifles, dynamites, and other dangerous weapons, conspired to attack and rob Diamond Bank Plc at Oyemekun Road, Akure, on November 19, where they carted away N30 million and different brands of phones, including other valuable property.
The prosecutor also told the court that the convicts, on December 8, 2011, at about 2: 00 p. m., robbed First Bank Plc at Yaba Road, Idanre, where they took away N4 million.
The defendants and others at large allegedly attacked a church around Adaba FM, Ilara- Mokin, at 12: 45 p. m. and robbed two pastors, Jeremiah Adanlawo and D. O. Ajayi, of their cars with number plates JU522EKY and JV322EKY, respectively.
The prosecution maintained that the offences contravened 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.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences preferred against them.
During the trial, one of the witnesses, a staff of one of the banks, narrated how the robbers gained entrance into the banking hall.
He said: “We suddenly heard sporadic gunshots on the bank premises. Thereafter, they blasted the door to gain access into the banking hall. One of the robbers, who was masked, asked me to open the box.
“He packed away all the money in the box, including naira and dollars. In the process, a police officer identified as Olowoyelu was shot dead.”
The convicts, in their separate confessional statements, all admitted to taking part in the robbery operations while explaining the individual roles they played.
The defendants also explained how proceeds from the robbery operations were shared among them.
In his judgment, Fasanmi held that the offence of conspiracy was proved beyond doubt, as the robbery was coordinated via phone call by the second defendant, Evangelist Adelu, who resides in Akure.
The judge also said the defendants were unanimous in their confessions and the role each of them played in the operations.
Consequently, Justice Fasanmi sentenced all the defendants to death by hanging on each of the counts.