The High Court of Ekiti State, sitting in Ado-Ekiti and presided over by Hon. Justice O.O. Olatawura, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, convicted and sentenced five individuals to d3ath by hanging for armed robbery and m8rder.
The court also sentenced the convicts to 21 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The convicts, Ojo Tope (a.k.a. Tope Dudu), Damilola Christopher (a.k.a. XY), Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope (a.k.a. Tope Pupa), and Oyedele Oluwatobi, were found guilty of committing the offences on August 18, 2021, at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti.
During the robbery, they dispossessed victims, Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem Isiaka of cash, laptops, mobile phones, and other valuables.
The convicts also brutally m8rdered the street night guard, identified as Joseph Blessing.
The five were charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and m8rder, contrary to Section 516A and Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Prosecuting the case on behalf of the state, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, Esq., presented four witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits.
The defence counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, represented all five defendants, each of whom testified without calling any additional witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Olatawura held that the prosecution had proven all charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court accordingly sentenced all five convicts to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder, and to 21 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
