Court Sentences ex- Military Officer, One Other to Death by Hanging

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced an ex-military officer, Olasoji Damilola (36) and Koiki Tunde Benson (32) to death by hanging for offence of armed robbery while Ogbesetuyi Tunde (30) bagged life jail term for offences bothering on conspiracy and attempted robbery.

In his judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye said, the prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt on offences of conspiracy, attempted robbery and armed robbery against the defendants.

In all, the sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution. In count two (Armed Robbery) the first and second defendant i.e. Olasoji Damilola and Koiki Tunde Benson were sentenced to death by hanging until they die. In count one, three and four, the three defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment for offences of conspiracy and attempted robbery.

According to the charge, the three defendants had on 10/03/2016 conspired and attempted to rob a filling Station on Ikere Road, Ado Ekiti.

Also, on May 15, 2016, Olasoji Damilola, an Army Officer who was Court Marshalled and dismissed during the pendency of the case alongside Koiki Tunde Benson conspired and robbed one Oluwadare Adebayo at a filling Station in Odo-Ado, Ado Ekiti and carted away a sum of 1,204,750. At the time of the robbery, they were armed with gun and other offensive weapons.

The offences run contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The victim, Oluwadare Adebayo told the court that around 6:30pm, the defendants came to the filling station in pretence of buying fuel and forced their way into the Station’s bulk room. While begging them, one of them slapped him and another one hit him with gun boot on the head which made him become unconscious.

According to him, Koiki escaped with the money while Olasoji Damilola was arrested at the scene.

To prove his case, the Prosecutor Olawale Fapohunda Esq. called two witnesses and tendered wallet, two passport photographs, Army Identity card and photocopy, statements of the defendants among others as exhibits.

Niyi Alade