From Taiye Joseph Ilorin
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, upheld the death sentences passed on five men convicted for their roles in the deadly 2018 Offa bank robbery, dismissing their appeals for lacking merit.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel, affirmed the judgment of the Kwara State High Court, which had sentenced the convicts to death by hanging.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Kwara State, Mohammed Akande, said the justices were in agreement that the trial court properly evaluated the evidence before it.
“The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, comprising Hon. Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole and Hon. Justice Abdul Dogo, today affirmed the judgment of Hon. Justice H.A. Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, which sentenced the appellants to death by hanging for their involvement in the Offa bank robbery,” Akande said.
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Those whose convictions were upheld are Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun and Adeola Abraham.
Another court official confirmed that all the grounds of appeal filed by the convicts were rejected, adding that the court ordered their immediate return to prison custody.
“The court dismissed all their grounds of appeal and upheld their convictions. They have been taken back to prison,” the official said.
Although the convicts still have the option of approaching the Supreme Court, the official noted that the arguments canvassed at the Court of Appeal were weak and unconvincing, suggesting that a further appeal may face serious challenges.
The five men were convicted of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide in connection with the April 2018 coordinated attacks on five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The robbery left at least 32 people dead, including nine police officers, two of whom were female, making it one of the deadliest bank robberies in Nigeria’s history.
A sixth defendant, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial commenced.
Justice Haleemah Saleeman, of the Kwara State High Court, had earlier sentenced the convicts to death after a trial that lasted nearly six years and drew national attention. In her over four-hour judgment, the trial judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
She ruled that the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.” The court also sentenced them to three years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.
Reacting to the judgment, lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s ruling as thorough and well considered, despite the delays that characterised the trial.
On the defence side, counsel to one of the convicts, Abdullah Jimba, said arrangements were already in motion to pursue a final appeal at the Supreme Court.
