Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court sentenced five individuals involved in the notorious Offa bank robbery to death.
The defendants—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham—were found guilty of charges including armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide, following an incident that occurred five years ago in Offa, Kwara State.
During her four-hour judgment, Justice Salman emphasized how the robbers exploited their connections with “people in power” to carry out the brazen attack on five banks, which resulted in the deaths of at least 32 individuals, including nine police officers.
While she did not specify names or affiliations, her remarks highlighted a disturbing intersection between crime and political connections, stating, “The convicts acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”...Read Full Article [Click Here>]
The court sentenced the five suspects to death by hanging, in addition to imposing a three-year prison term for their illegal possession of firearms. This decision comes after a lengthy trial that has garnered significant public interest. The sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial could begin.
Lead prosecution counsel Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) expressed satisfaction with the verdict, praising the judge’s diligence amidst distractions that delayed the proceedings.
Conversely, defense counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba acknowledged the expected nature of the judgment and confirmed that preparations for an appeal were underway. This case underscores ongoing concerns regarding the influence of political connections in criminal activities and the pursuit of justice in Nigeria.
