An Akure High Court in Ondo state has sentenced Evangelist Adewale Adelu and five others whose names are(Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Adewale Adelu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho) to death by hanging for robbing two banks in the state 13 years ago and carted away N34m.
The convicts were accused of armed robbery and conspiracy, with the prosecution proving the offense beyond reasonable doubt. They were arraigned on four counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. The prosecution claimed 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. The convicts admitted to taking part in the robbery operations and explained their individual roles during the incident. Justice Yemi Fasanmi ruled that the offence of conspiracy was proven beyond doubt, as the robbery was coordinated via phone call by the second defendant, Evangelist Adelu. The defendants were unanimous in their confessions and the role each of them played in the robberies.