Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday handed down death sentences to three men convicted of armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, in a case that rocked the state’s criminal justice system.
The defendants, Lasisi Afeez (33), Ilesanmi Seun (32) and Ajewole Peter (53)—were each sentenced to death by hanging, after Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The three men were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms under sections 314, 312 (2) (b) and 344 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
According to the charge sheet, on March 29, 2022, the convicts, while armed with guns and cutlasses, violently robbed Ojo Dada Emmanuel of his Toyota Corolla car, wedding ring, ATM cards, two laptops, an Infinix phone, and ₦70,000 in cash at Ado Ekiti.
On the same date and location, they also robbed Balogun Ahmed of his Infinix phone, Itel phone and *₦2,200 in cash. During their arrest, the suspects were found in possession of a long double-barreled gun and live ammunition without a lawful permit.
In his testimony, Mr. Emmanuel recounted the terrifying attack: “I was in my hospital around 11pm, preparing to perform a medical operation in the theatre. Suddenly, I saw the defendants; they did not cover their faces. They ordered us to lie face down. One of them held a pistol while the other held a long double-barreled gun. They beat me, the patient and his relative at gunpoint.”
He said the robbers took his valuables, including the family car, which was later retrieved by the police despite having its registration number removed.
The prosecution, led by Julius Ajibare, called three witnesses and tendered key exhibits, including car documents, weapons, phones and ammunition. In contrast, the defence called no witnesses.
In his ruling, Justice Ogunmoye held that the prosecution had successfully proven three of the four counts of conspiracy and armed robbery. Consequently, he declared:
“Therefore, they were discharged and acquitted in count four. The judgment of this court upon the defendants is that they be hanged by the neck until they be dead. May God Almighty have mercy upon your souls.”
This ruling follows a series of death sentences recorded in Ekiti State in recent years for similar offences, underscoring a firm judicial stance against violent crime.
