Court sentences popular evangelist, 5 others to death over robbery
A High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has sentenced six individuals, including a well-known Evangelist in Akure, Adewale Adelu, to death by hanging for their involvement in an armed robbery that occurred 13 years ago.
While handing down the death sentence to the six individuals, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, said; Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Adewale Adelu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho, were found guilty of robbing two commercial banks in Akure and Idanre, 13 years ago.
According to the judge, who held that the prosecution was able to prove the offence of armed robbery against all the convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
The convicts were said to have committed the offence on November 19 and December 8, 2011, in Akure and Idanre and they were charged to court on two charges.
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They were arraigned on July 14, 2022, on four counts charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and were remanded in Olokuta Correctional Centre.
Earlier, the Prosecuting Counsel, F.K Salami, informed the court that the convicts and others while armed with AK 47 guns, dynamite, and other dangerous weapons at Oyemekun road, Akure, conspired to attack and robbed Diamond Bank Plc, where they carted away the sum of N30 million, different brands of phones and other valuable property.
He told the court that the convicts on December 8, 2011, at 2 pm, also robbed First Bank Plc at Yaba Road, Idanre, and stole the sum of N4 million.
Salami further said the defendants and others at large attacked a church around Adaba FM, Ilara-Mokin at 12:45 pm, and robbed two pastors, Jeremiah Adanlawo and D.O Ajayi of their cars with number plates JU522EKY and JV322EKY respectively.
The prosecution said the offences contravene Sections 6b, 1 2a, and b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
