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Five individuals have been sentenced to death following their involvement in the notorious Offa bank robbery of 2018. The Kwara State High Court, presided over by Justice Haleemah Salman, found the defendants guilty of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide.
The robbery, which took place at five different banks in Offa Local Government Area, claimed the lives of 32 people, including nine police officers, two of whom were women. The convicted individuals, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham, were all handed the death penalty.
A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a former police officer, passed away in custody before the trial began.
After a six-year-long trial, Justice Salman ruled that the five accused were guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and the killing of innocent citizens during the attack. She sentenced them to death by hanging. Additionally, the convicts received a three-year prison sentence for illegal possession of firearms, according to the Nigerian Penal Code.
In her closing remarks, Justice Salman stated, “The convicts acted unlawfully, and their involvement with influential figures at the time led them to commit such grievous acts.”
Lead prosecutor Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) praised the verdict and the judge’s careful handling of the case despite the challenges that extended the trial. Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Barrister Abdullah Jimba, expressed that the judgment was anticipated and confirmed that preparations for an appeal are underway.
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