A man, Waliu Abifarin, has been sentenced to death by an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti for armed robbery.
Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who handed down the sentence on Wednesday, said the prosecution had proved its case against Abufarin beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Daramola held that Abifarin was guilty of a one-count charge of armed robbery contrary to Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Vol. 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“Therefore, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May the good lord have mercy on your soul,” Justice Daramola stated.
According to the charge sheet, Abifarin, on 21st December, 2013 robbed one Shaibu Obanimoh of the sum of N250,000 at Aleja Camp, Idege/Igirigiri Road, Ado-Ekiti, while armed with cutlass and other offensive weapons.
He was first arraigned alongside one Haruna Onimisi who escaped during the 2014 jailbreak from Ado-Ekiti prisons, which caused a setback to the case.
Abifarin was arraigned on 12th May 2016 and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecution counsel, Mojisola Olajiga, called four witnesses and tendered one Bajaj motorcycle, a cutlass and other materials as exhibits in proving her case.
Counsel for the accused, Mr A.O. Adeloye, led his client in his evidence but did not call any witness. Meanwhile, Ekiti State Judiciary is to proceed on Christmas/Year break with effect from Thursday.
A statement on Wednesday signed by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, said the notice was given pursuant to Order 45 Rule (4)(C)
of Ekiti State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2011.
It said the trial of civil actions in the High Court of Ekiti State shall be suspended between Thursday, 21st December, 2017 till Friday, 5th January, 2018.
Resumption of normal court activities shall commence from Monday, 8th January, 2018.