On Thursday, January 31, 2025, the Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing four individuals to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery. The convicted persons are Ojo Tope (37), Aderopo Temitope (37), Oyedele Oluwatobi (27), and Damilola Christopher (30). A fifth defendant, Ekundayo Ajiboye (29), was acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crimes.
Details of the Crime
The convicts were arraigned on April 16, 2024, facing five counts related to conspiracy and armed robbery. The charges stated that on August 3, 2021, at Ilutitun Street, near Dammy Guest House in Ikere Ekiti, they conspired to rob individuals including Taye Adegboye, Idowu Damilola, Idowu Tolulope, and Ganiyu Abimbola. The stolen items comprised laptops, phones, power banks, chargers, jewelry, a sound system, and a cash sum of N136,000. The assailants were armed with guns during the robbery.
One of the victims, Idowu Oluwadamilola, recounted his harrowing experience in a statement to the police. He was asleep around midnight when the assailants forced their way into his room. Attempting to hide in the ceiling, he was discovered after they threatened his brother. Upon descending, he was severely beaten for his attempt to evade them. The robbers then confiscated their belongings, including laptops, phones, and cash. The following day, the victims reported the incident to the Ilupeju Police Station.
In February 2022, the defendants, after confessing to the crime, led policemen to Oluwadamilola’s residence, corroborating their involvement in the previous year’s robbery.
Court Proceedings and Judgment
The prosecution, led by Oluwaseun Olasanmi, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendants’ statements as exhibits. The defense, represented by counsel Adeyinka Opaleke and others, did not call any witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Lekan Olatawura stated, “In this instant case, the 1st to 4th defendants all confessed individually to have conspired to commit armed robbery at the property occupied by the victims.” He concluded, “The sentence of this court is that you, Ojo Tope, Aderopo Temitope, Oyedele Oluwatobi, and Damilola Christopher, be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your souls.” Regarding the fifth defendant, the judge noted, “I found no iota of evidence linking the 5th defendant to the commission of any of the offences as charged. Accordingly, Ekundayo Ajiboye is hereby discharged and acquitted.”
Public Reaction and Social Media Discourse
The judgment has elicited a spectrum of reactions across various platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), users have expressed mixed feelings. Some commend the judiciary for its firm stance against violent crimes, emphasizing the need for deterrence. User @JusticeForAll tweeted, “A strong message has been sent today. Crime doesn’t pay. Kudos to the Ekiti judiciary.” Conversely, others raise concerns about the application of the death penalty. User @HumanRightsAdvocate posted, “While justice must be served, we must also question the morality and efficacy of capital punishment in our legal system.”
On Facebook, community groups in Ekiti have been abuzz with discussions. Many residents express relief, hoping that the judgment will deter future criminal activities. A member of the “Ekiti Progressives” group commented, “This verdict brings some peace to our community. Let this be a warning to others.” However, debates about the broader implications of capital punishment continue to surface, with some members advocating for life imprisonment as a more humane alternative.
This case is among several in recent times where the Ekiti State judiciary has handed down death sentences for armed robbery. In December 2022, four men were sentenced to death by hanging for dispossessing their victims of phones, jewelry, and other valuables at gunpoint. Similarly, in June 2022, another group of four was sentenced for armed robbery and murder.
These judgments underscore the judiciary’s commitment to addressing violent crimes in the state. As discussions about the death penalty persist, the balance between justice, deterrence, and human rights remains a focal point in public discourse.
