7 Armed Robbers Sentenced To Death By Hanging In Ondo For Murdering US-Based Businessman

7 Armed Robbers Sentenced To Death By Hanging In Ondo For Murdering US-Based Businessman
A High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, on Thursday, August 23, sentenced seven persons to death over the killing of a businessman, Banji Adafin.
It was learnt that the businessman who was based in the United States of America was killed while on holiday in Akure on July 4, 2017, at No 5 Temidire street, Akure.
It was also gathered that, apart from killing the businessman, the convicts also said stole valuable items at the residence of the deceased. Some of the items stolen included iPads, phones, television sets, laptops, and an unspecified amount of money.
The charges preferred against the convicts included conspiracy to commit armed robbery contrary to and punishable under section 6(b) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act cap R11 Volume 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The convicts to die by hanging and firing squad included Jimoh Sodiq, (a.k.a Akamo), Blessing Ogunlade, Yomi Balogun (a.k.a Regal), Akeem Adedayo, Oso John Omoniyi (a.k.a Bosco) and Sodiq Babatunde.
The eighth convicted person is Damilola Samuel (a.k.a Mama), who is a girlfriend to one of the other convicts bagged one-year jail term.
In a four-hour judgment, the trial judge, Justice Samuel Bola, held that the prosecuting counsel and officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, had proved beyond reasonable doubts that the seven men are culpable in the death of late Banji Adafin.
The judge further ruled that the offenders committed the offences in contravention of the Robbery and Firearms Act, laws of the Federation (2004) and the Criminal Code, laws of Ondo state (2006).
In their reaction to the judgment, the defense counsels, Abdulrahman Yusuf and Samuel Aiyesa, said it would be appealed after it was reviewed.