By Bamidele Kolawole

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for armed robbery.

Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi, in his judgment, handed down the death sentence on the convicts after he found them guilty of armed robbery.

The judge held that the prosecution was able to prove the offence of armed robbery against them beyond reasonable dodoubt.

 Tolu Abisagbo, prosecuting counsel,  told the court that the convicts on or about  September 16, 2019 in Akure, within the jurisdiction of the Court,  robbed one Dr. Benedict Asuelimen anf  his wife, of their vehicle and some household items.

The items included; One Toyota Highlander 2000 Model Maroon colour with number plate: FST 916 DN valued at N84,200,000,  Samsung J6 Android phone valued at N63,000,  Techno phone worth at N53,000, itel phone valued at N14,000.

Those arrested were Noah Tosin, 27; Adewale Oke, 29; Abdulsalam Abib, 23; Ayodele Sunday, , 39; deosun Bamidele, 45; Omotuase Sunday, 46 and Abner Emmanuel, 45.

They were arraigned before the court on three counts of conspiracy, armed robbery and receiving stolen property.

After several court proceedings and series of arguments by the prosecuting and defence counsels, the trial judge, Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi, found four of the defendants; Noah Tosin,  Adewale Oke, Abdulsalam Abib and Sunday Ayodele, guilty and convicted them accordingly.

The court held that the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy, armed robbery and receiving stolen property against them beyond  reasonable doubt.

Consequently, they were sentenced to death by hanging.

However, the judge said the prosecution could not produce any evidence against tgeremai I g two defendants, Adeosun Bamidele and Omotuase Sunday. 

He ordered them to be discharged and acquitted on all the count charges.

Fasanmi sentenced Abner Emmanuel, to five years imprisonment or he should pay N200,000 fine, for receiving a Toyota Highlander 2000 model maroon colour with number plate: FST 916 DN, from Ayodele Sunday ‘M’ and Adewale Oke, knowing same to have been obtained through robbery.