Court sentences ex-soldier, one other to death for armed robbery

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 36-year-old former soldier, Olasoji Damilola, and 32-year-old Benson Koiki to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The court also sentenced Olasoji, Koiki and 30-year-old Tunde Ogbesetuyi to life imprisonment for conspiracy and attempted robbery.

The three of them were tried and found guilty on four-count bordering on conspiracy, attempted robbery and armed robbery.

The charge read: “The three defendants on 10th March 2016 conspired and attempted to rob a filling station along Ikere Road, Ado Ekiti.

“Also on 15th May, 2016, Olasoji Damilola, a soldier who was court-martialed and dismissed during the pendency of the case alongside Benson Koiki conspired and robbed one Oluwadare Adebayo at a filling station in Odo-Ado, Ado Ekiti, and carted away a sum of N1,204,750. As of the time of the robbery, they were armed with gun and other offensive weapons.

“The offences run contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Testifying, the victim told the court that around 6:30pm on the fateful day, the defendants came to the filling station pretending to buy fuel, forced their way into the station’s bulk room, adding that while begging them, one of them slapped him while the other one hit his head with gun butt following which he became unconscious.

According to him, Koiki escaped with the money while Olasoji was arrested at the scene.

To prove his case, the prosecuting counsel, Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), who is the Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, called two witnesses and tendered wallet, two passport photographs, Army identity card and photocopy, statements of the defendants among others as exhibits.

Delivering judgement on Monday, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of conspiracy, attempted robbery and armed robbery against the defendants.

“In all, the sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution. In count two (armed robbery)  the first and second defendant – Olasoji Damilola and Benson Koiki are sentenced to death by hanging, may God almighty have mercy upon your souls.

“In counts one, three and four, the three defendants are sentenced to life imprisonment for offences of conspiracy and attempted robbery,” the judge pronounced.