Court sentences 5 to death for murder, armed robbery in Ibadan

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, on Friday, sentenced one Asumo Garuba, 30, to death for the murder of one Rasaki Ayomo on 12 September, 2012.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Justice Rayo Taiwo sentenced Garuba to death after being found guilty of hacking Ayomo to death.

Principal state counsel, Mr O. S. Tella, had told the court that Garuba killed Ayomo when he was about to buy bean cake at about 8.30 p.m. at Oke-Are, Ijaye, Moniya, Ibadan.

“Garuba suddenly appeared and hacked Ayomo with a cutlass, leading to his death three days later at the hospital due to injuries sustained in the incident”, Tella said.

Four other persons were also sentenced to death by the court for armed robbery.

They are Alaba Akinola (30) Sarafa Babalola (25), Sola Kolawole (27) and Ibrahim Gbedeogun (28).

The state counsel, Mr I. O. Mojoyinola, said the defendants committed the crime on 19 July, 2011 at Ayekale, Ibadan at about midnight.

Mojoyinola said the defendants robbed their victim of cell phone valued N10,000 on October 16, 2011 at Gangansi at about 4.30 a.m. with guns and cutlasses.

The offence contravened Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap.RII Vol.14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.