2 condemned for murder, robbery in Ekiti

Two men, Michael Adams and Abass Mutiu have been condemned to death by an Ado Ekiti High Court after they were convicted for murder and armed robbery.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who handed down the verdict, on Monday, found the duo guilty of armed robbery and murder, saying they violated Section (1) 2 (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014.

Justice Daramola also found them guilty of murder contrary to Section 316 (1) punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ekiti State, 2015.

Having found the duo guilty as stated on the charge sheet, Justice Daramola held that the defendants were to face the supreme punishment and therefore imposed the death penalty on them.

They were charged for armed robbery and murdering Ojo Adebola in the course if the robbery, at Fiyinfolu Avenue, off Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti.

They had also robbed one Arowosere Kabiru of N12,800 while armed with dangerous weapons like guns and cutlasses.

They were arraigned in court for the first time on March 1, 2016, when the charges were read to them.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A legal officer from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. D. Oyewole, called four witnesses to prove the case and had tendered the statement of the accused, Indian hemp, two motorcycles, cutlasses, cartridges, photographs of the deceased and photographs of the parade of the convicts by the police as exhibits.

The accused were led in evidence by the State Director of Legal Aid Council, Mr. Olaitan Adeloye.

One of the eyewitnesses who was among the victims of the attack identified the accused persons at the identification parade conducted by the state police command.