Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced five men to death by hanging for their involvement in the 2018 Offa robbery.
The bank heist which took place on April 5, 2018, in Offa, Kwara State, left 32 people dead, including nine police officers and pregnant women.
The judgement initially scheduled for August 2, 2024, was postponed due to nationwide protests.
On Thursday, September 26, the court found Ayo Akinibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran guilty of culpable homicide and armed robbery.
A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, who was reported to be the leader of the gang, died in police custody before the trial.
The other five pleaded not guilty but were convicted and sentenced to death. Additionally, they were given a three-year prison sentence for illegal possession of firearms.
Justice Salman stated that the convicts had misused their connections to government officials, leading them to commit these crimes.
The lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacob, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, praising the judge’s thoroughness despite delays.
The defense, represented by A.S. Abdullahi, emphasized that an appeal is being prepared.
KanyiDaily recalls that over 30 persons were killed during the Offa bank robbery on April 5, 2018, while other residents sustained serious injuries.
