2 to die by hanging for armed robbery in Ekiti

The Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, sentenced two persons to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The defendants — 37-year-old Adejuwon Kehinde, and an ex-convict, Adeniyi Dayo, 35 — were arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on February 14, 2023, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and stealing.

According to the charges, the defendants on January 4, 2022, armed with gun and cutlass conspired to steal the sum of N100,000 belonging to Adeowo Aderonke.

The defendants also robbed one Ojo Adeniyi of his Toyota Highlander Jeep, one bag of rice, five tubers of yam, and the sum of N156,000.

They also robbed Emmanuel Gbenga of his Toyota Camry car, laptop, six phones, and the sum of N60,000.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 302(4)(a), 312(2)(a) and 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

One of the victims, Emmanuel Gbenga, said he was returning from the church in company of his family members on new year eve at about 2 a.m., when he was dispossessed of his car at gunpoint by the defendants.

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Gbenga said the defendants, armed with cutlass and guns, also robbed him of his laptop, six phones, and N60,000.
The prosecutor, Olasanmi Oluwaseun, called three witnesses and tendered the defendants’ statements and cutlass as exhibits, while the defendants who spoke through their lawyer, Lawrence Fasanmi, in their defence, called no witness.

Delivering judgement, Justice Olatawura said: “I have given consideration to the plea of the defendants for mercy, unfortunately, the punishment for offence of armed robbery is mandatory. I therefore have no discretion to exercise.

“On count one – conspiracy, the defendants are sentenced to seven years imprisonment each.

“On count two – armed robbery, the sentence of this count is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”

The Star