From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
After six years of intense legal battle, the Kwara State High Court has convicted and sentenced five individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the deadly Offa robbery.
It would be recalled that the robbery claimed the lives of several citizens, including nine police officers.The tragic incident occurred in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The presiding judge, Justice Haleemah Salman, found the convicts: Ayo Akinibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran, guilty of culpable homicide, armed robbery, and other related offences.
In delivering her judgement, Justice Salman, ordered that the convicts be “hung by the neck until they breathe no more.”
Additionally, the court sentenced the five individuals to three years in prison for illegal possession of firearms under the penal code law.
Justice Salman noted that the convicts allowed their connections with influential figures in the previous government to lead them astray.
Prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, praising the judge for her thoroughness despite various distractions that delayed the case.
Speaking on behalf of the convicts, their counsel, Barrister Abdullah Jimba, stated that the judgement was not unexpected and confirmed that they are preparing to file an appeal.
