An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 24 year old man, Sola Jegede to death by hanging.
The defendant was charged with offences of armed robbery and rape, which was committed on 30th October, 2015 at Oda Ponna Street, Omuo Ekiti, when the defendant, armed with dangerous weapons including gun, knife, digger and club to rob Ilesanmi Ibukun, Ilesanmi Seun and Ilesanmi Tope of their phones and undisclosed amount of money.
The offence was contrary to sections 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 358 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In his pronouncement, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde said the defendant was found guilty as charged on count 1, 2 and 3 for the offence of armed robbery and he is accordingly convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of armed robbery.
Justice Abodunde discharged and acquitted the defendant on count 4 and 5, saying no reasonable court can convict him on the offence of rape, given the totality of the evidence of prosecution with respect to offence of rape.
“He is found not guilty and discharged and acquitted on the offence of rape”.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Omobola Oyewole Esq. called 7 witnesses and tendered exhibits which include Blackberry and Nokia Phones, a digger, a knife among others.
The defendant spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Adedayo Adewumi Esq, while no witness was called.
