A high court sitting in Oyo town has sentenced a 30 -year old baker, Moroofu Shina to death by hanging for Robery at gun point.
Shina ,who was operating a one-man robbery gang ,was charged on a three counts of conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of arms.
The accused person had earlier pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge with Charged No: HOY/3c/2017.
The state counsel , Prince Adetunji Gbadegesin told the court that the accused and others now at large on April 16 ,2016 at around 8:20pm at Alfa tick Petrol Station along Awe/Oyo road ,in Oyo judicial Division conspired together to commit a felony with armed Robbery.
Gbadegesin who is the Solicitor- General and Permanent Secretary in the Oyo State Ministry of Justice told the court that the accused on the same date ,time and place whilst armed with one locally made gun robbed one Mr. Waheed Azeez with the sum of three Hundred and Eighty-five thousand Naira (N385,000.0), and one Nokia XL cell phone valued at Thrty-nine thousand Naira (39,000.00).
He said Moroofu on the 8th of July 2016 at about 1100pm at Adeyemi Prints opposite Old National bank building Owode, Oyo, also robbed one Afolabi Yemisi at gun point with her three phones and bag containing her belongings.
The state counsel told the court that the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 6(b)of Robbery and Firearms (special Provision) Act,Cap.R.11,vol.14 the laws of the Federation ,section 1(2)(a) and (b) laws ,section 1(2)(a)And (b) of the Armed robbery and Fireams (special Provision) Act,Cap R.11,Vol.14 laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria,2004.
Counsel to the accused Mr. Olarewaju Okeyinka had earlier told the court that his client only attempted to rob and that he did not commit the robbery.
In his response the trial judge ,Justice Kabiru Olawoyin said that available evidence from the prosecution had proof beyond reasonable doubt.
“From the totality of the evidence brought by the prosecutor, the court is of the firm belief that the prosecutor has proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person indeed committed the offence.
“Through the evident of the prosecution witness as well as extra judicial statement which is known as confessional statement that the accused also confessed to the crime in view of this evidence which the defence has not been challenge and controverted by the defence that all the defence put fall by the defence could avail him that they are all after thought in the face of credible evidence lead by the prosecution” Justice Olawoyin said.
In his response the state counsel, Prince Gbadegesin told the court that the duty of the court was attainment of justice, stressing “from the totality of the offence level against the Moroofu Shina, the punishment is death by hanging and the court has no discretion to reduce the punishment also it will serve as a deterrent to others ”
Counsel to the accused however prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his judgment ,Justice Olawoyin sentenced Moroofu to death by hanging in respect of court 1, 2, and 3.
The judge ordered that the convict should be executed by hanging him on the neck.
