Osun Court Sentences Four To Death Over Murder

An Osun State High Court in Osogbo has sentenced four men to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder of Victor Akinbile.

The convicts are Hammed Rafiu, 37, Rasidi Waidi, 39, Kayode Sunday, 29, and Owolabi Bashiru, 54, a security guard, who were arraigned on a six count charge before the court on October 23, 2019.

The four men, who were arraigned on six count charges of conspiracy, contrary to section 6(b), Armed Robbery, contrary to and punishable under section 1(1) and (2) (a) (b), of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, Conspiracy to murder, contrary to section 324, murder, contrary to and punishable under section 319, stealing, contrary to and punishable under section 390(9) and kidnapping, contrary to and punishable under section 364 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, but the court ordered their remand in correctional custody.

According to the prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, the four man gang murdered one Victor Akinbile a cousin of former Deputy Governor, Adegboyega Benedict Alabi who travelled down to Ikire, Osun State on November 26, 2018 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Benedict Gboyega Alabi and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

In his judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Jide Falola sentenced them accordingly.

On count one, life improvement, count two death Sentence, count three life imprisonment, count four death, count five, five years imprisonment and count six, seven years imprisonment.

Justice Falola termed the case as technology assisted and he applauded the Nigeria police for their efforts in tracking down the convicts location and their bank account.

He further ruled that all the cash recovered from convicts and cash in their bank accounts should be handed over to the wife of the deceased, with the recommendation that none of the convicts should benefit from any state pardon, such as perogative of mercy and any other of such.