Appeal Court Upholds Death Sentences for Five Men in Offa Robbery Case

On Friday, the Court of Appeal located in Ilorin upheld the death penalty verdict for five men convicted in relation to the robbery at several banks in Offa, which occurred in April 2018.

The judges ruled against the appellants’ plea, citing insufficient merit in the arguments presented.

This panel, consisting of Justices Ridwan Abdullahi, Gabriel Kolawole, and Abdul Dogo, reaffirmed the decision made by the Kwara High Court, presided over by Justice Haleemah Saleeman, who had previously sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.

The men involved in this case are identified as Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham.

The court's recent ruling indicated all grounds of appeal from the defense were rejected, confirming that the convicts must be returned to jail without delay.

It is important to note that the robbery incident resulted in the loss of more than 32 lives, including those of nine police officers, during the attack on five commercial banks in Offa, which is situated in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The convicts were ultimately found guilty of armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and charges of homicide in this high-profile case that grabbed national attention.

A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, passed away while in custody before his trial could commence.

The initial trial spanned approximately six years, with Justice Saleeman imposing the death sentences at its conclusion.

Lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, described the appellate court's latest ruling as comprehensive and well-deliberated, despite the lengthy delays throughout the trial proceedings.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Jimba, representing one of the convicts, expressed intent to seek a final appeal before the Supreme Court.