Osun court sentences two to death for armed robbery

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced two men, Toriola Abel and Adeola Adebowale, to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

The convicts were found guilty of committing the offence in 2014 around the Kelebe area of Osogbo.

According to the prosecutor, Wuraola Mosunmola (Suit No: HOS/23c/2014), the duo conspired with an accomplice who is still at large to carry out the crime.

During the trial, the prosecution presented key witnesses and tendered incriminating evidence, including a locally made gun, which the presiding judge, Justice Yinka Aderibigbe, admitted as exhibits.

Ruling on the matter on Thursday, Justice Aderibigbe held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, subsequently convicting Abel and Adebowale on the two-count charge.

In his plea for mitigation, defence counsel Ifedayo Olowoyo urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

He argued that the convicts were first-time offenders with no prior criminal records and could still contribute positively to society if given a second chance.

Olowoyo noted that both men have spent the past 12 years in custody since their arrest in 2014, during which time they have shown signs of rehabilitation.

Notably, he disclosed that the second convict is currently a 300-level student at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) via correspondence, nearing the completion of his degree.

“I believe that the convicts will still be useful and be a lesson to the younger generation after them,” the defence counsel pleaded.

Delivering judgment, Justice Aderibigbe noted that despite the defendants’ time in custody and rehabilitation efforts, the mandatory statutory punishment for armed robbery under the law remains unchanged by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Consequently, he sentenced them to death.

However, taking into consideration that no life was lost during the incident, coupled with their commendable behaviour over more than a decade in detention, Justice Aderibigbe formally recommended that the state governor consider granting them a prerogative of mercy.