Ondo cleric, 5 others to die by hanging over robbery

The Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a cleric, Adewale Adelu, and five others to death over their role in armed robberies in the state. 

Daily Trust reports that the convicts, aside from Adelu, include Ikechuckwu Maduagwu, Fayemi Olubusuyi, Ropo Adeleye, Dele Otopka, and Bayo Omotosho.

The court found them guilty of attacking and robbing two commercial banks in Akure, the state capital and Idanre 13 years ago.

The robbery incidents took place at the defunct Diamond Bank now Access Bank located in Akure and the First Bank in Idanre, the headquarters of the Idanre Local Council.

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Justice Yemi Fasanmi presided over the case and delivered the death sentence to the convicts.

The culprits were arraigned on July 14, 2022, on four counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.

Following their arraignment, they were subsequently remanded in the Olokuta Correctional Centre.

During the trial, prosecution counsel presented evidence that the convicts, armed with AK-47 rifles and dynamite, carried out the robberies that shook the communities of Akure and Idanre.

While stating that the defendants were unanimous in their confessions and the role each of them played in the operations, Justice Fasanmi consequently sentenced all the defendants to death by hanging in each of the counts.