Justice Ayo Oyebiyi of an Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has sentenced two persons, Wasiu Afolayan, 36 and Kola Adeyemi, 34, to death by hanging for armed robbery.

They were arraigned before the court on four counts bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, tttempted armed robbery, and unlawful possession of arms contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to which they pleaded not guilty.

The State counsel, Mr. Bewaji Adeniji had told the court that on December 7, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Wasiu Afolayan and kola Adeyemi layed siege in the area and robbed people living in the community.

According to the counsel, while Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime in Osogbo, Police investigation led to the arrest of Adeyemi at Ikire through Afolayan confession who mentioned said Adeyemi his co-gang member.

He added that the same armed robbery gang had on November 26, 2018, robbed at No. 3, Oduola, street, Igbona area, Osogbo, Osun State, where they carted away belongings of a resident and also killed one Olaniyi Adewale with the gun during the robbery operation and escaped from the scene.

At the trial Bewaji presented six witnesses to proved his case and tendered several exhibits including the extra judicial statements made at both Divisional Police Headquarters and at the SCID, while the defendants stand as witnesses for themselves.

Justice Oyebiyi after trial ruled that the prosecution counsel proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and declared the defendants guilty as charged.

Their counsel, Adesina Olaniyan pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as his clients were first offenders.

In his judgement, the trial judge sentenced the two convicts to death by hanging.