Law & Crime

Osun high court sentences four to death for armed robbery and murder.

Published

1 year ago

January 16, 2023

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo.

An Osun State High Court,sitting in Osogbo, presided over by Honourable Justice Jide Falola, has sentenced four men to death by hanging for Armed Robbery and murder.

The Convicts were Hammed Rafiu, 37, Rasidi Waidi, 39, Kayode Sunday, 29, and Owolabi Bashiru, 54, a security guard, who were arraigned before the Court on the 23rd day of October, 2019 on six counts charges.

The four men, who were arraigned on six (6) count’s changes of conspiracy,contrary to section 6(b), Armed Robbery,contrary to and punishable under section 1(1) and (2) (a) (b), of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, Conspiracy to murder, contrary to section 324, murder,contrary to and punishable under section 319, stealing,contrary to and punishable under section 390(9) and kidnapping, contrary to and punishable under section 364 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, but the court ordered their remand in correctional custody.

According to the prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, the four men gang murdered one Victor Akinbile a cousin’s of former Deputy Governor, Adegboyega Benedict Alabi who travelled down to Ikirun, Osun State on the 26th day of November, 2018 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mr. Benedict Gboyega Alabi and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Barrister Akintayo informed the Court that Victor Akinbile who slept in his uncle’s house at Moboreje Area, Ikirun called his wife upon arrival in the said house on 26 November, 2018,to inform her of her save arrival.

Prosecution Counsel further said that Owolabi Bashiru, a security guard opposite the house informed the Hammed Rafiu, Rashidi Waidi and Kayode Sunday that Victor Akinbile had arrived from Lagos and lodged in a house directly opposite his duty post at Basorun House Moboreje Area, Ikirun on 26 of November, 2018.

The convicts,who were reportedly armed with offensive weapons, jumped the fence into the house owned by Victor Akinbile’s uncle; they were armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons during their armed Robbery operation, and they forcibly gained entrance into his room where Victor slept.

Having gained entrance into the house through burglary window they demanded the sum of Ten million Naira from Victor who told them he didn’t have up to that amount, disclosing that he had five Million Naira in his Bank account. He transferred a sum of Three Million Naira to Hammed Rafiu Bank account in United Bank for Africa (UBA),who collected hundred of thousands of Naira cash from the victim,having threatened to kill him.

After collecting three Million Naira and hundred of thousands Naira Cash from him, the Convicts later kidnapped Victor Akinbile and put him inside his Toyota Camry car boot and drove him to Dominion Camp, area old Iragbiji road along Ikirun/Osogbo road and set him and car ablaze which caused the death of Victor Akinbile.

During the trial investigation revealed that Hammed Rafiu, Rashidi Waidi and Kayode Sunday had earlier robbed Alhaji Azeez Olusegun behind Oluwo’s House Eweta, Ikirun on October 8,2018 where the trio stole a Toyota Camry (muzzle) with registration number JJJ 371 AA LAGOS, also collected ₦620,000.

Hammed Rafiu and Rashidi Waidi were arrested at Ogijo in Ogun State, Kayode Sunday in Ondo State, while Owolabi Bashiru was nabbed in Ikirun.

Barrister Akintayo had earlier called four (4) witnesses and tendered several exhibits before the Court,where the convicts testified by themselves.

Counsel to Owolabi Bashiru, fourth accused person, Barrister S.B Ajibade and Adedayo Adedeji counsel to Hammed Rafiu, Rashidi Waidi and Kayode Sunday earlier told the court that there was no evidence to show that the accused persons held a meeting before the Robbery incident,and urged the Court to discharge and acquit the accused.

Justice Falola agreed that prosecution Counsel Dele Akintayo Esq. has proven his case beyond any reasonable doubt and convicted them on six counts charges preferred against them.

In his judgement Justice Jide Falola sentenced them accordingly, count one, life improvement, count two death Sentence,count three life imprisonment, count four Death, count five, five years imprisonment and count six,7 years imprisonment.

Justice Falola termed the case as technology assisted and he applauded the Nigeria police for their efforts in tracking down the convicts location and their bank account.

He further ruled that all the cash recovered from convicts and cash in their Bank accounts should be handed over to the wife of the deceased,with the recommendation that none of the convicts should benefit from any State pardon, such as prerogative of mercy and any other of such.

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Law & Crime

Lawyers, Bloggers, Others Dismiss Corruption Allegations Against FCT Chief Judge

Published

2 months ago

February 7, 2024

The Gleamer

…pass vote of confidence on Chief Judge Nigeria

Three non-profit organizations, Lawyers in Defence of Good Governance and Democracy, LIDOGG, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria, COCSON, and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria, BAVCCA, Wednesday, declared allegations of corruption and nepotism leveled against the Chief Judge of he Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf as baseless.

The CSOs made their declaration during a press conference held in Abuja in light of the allegations raised in a recent audit report, where they also passed a vote of confidence on Justice Baba-Yusuf.

The Conveners of the group, Comrade Adewale Ogunnoiki, Barr. Caroline Bello and Dr Ibrahim Abubakar, expressed pain as and described the unnecessary attacks on the judiciary as unfortunate, whereby subjecting the judiciary to ridicule in the course of their duty, hence the judges are not allowed to defend themselves despite the alleged media attacks they receive.

It will be recalled that an online media according to them without a verifiable address made a publication on February 4, 2024, where it alleged that the Federal Court in Nigeria paid the sum of N1.5 billion for vehicle contracts without any evidence to support these transactions. The audit report suggested a lack of proper documentation and transparency in the process of awarding and executing these contracts.

Meanwhile, Comrade Adewale Ogunnoiki, cautioned that it is imperative to consider Justice Baba-Yusuf’s proven track records which are devoid of any corruption before making hasty judgments based on allegations alone.

He said: “We, as representatives of LIDOGG, BAVCCA COCSON, have conducted our investigations into these allegations to ensure that we present a fair and balanced perspective.

“After careful analysis of the available facts, we reiterate our vote of confidence on the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory.”

Meanwhile, the groups highlighted Reasons for Vote of Confidence passed on Justice Baba-Yusuf; Integrity and Reputation: The Chief Judge has built a reputation for integrity, fairness, and professionalism throughout his career. It is crucial to consider this track record before making hasty judgments based on allegations alone.

“No Evidence: There is no evidence to back up this false and fabricated story. This is an unverified story concocted just to malign the integrity of the Chief Judge.

“Due Process: The legal system in Nigeria provides a framework for addressing allegations of misconduct. We encourage all parties involved to follow due process and allow investigations to take place unhindered.

“Commitment to Accountability: The Chief Judge has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency and accountability in the judiciary. It is essential to recognize and appreciate these efforts in ensuring an impartial justice system.”

He therefore urged all parties involved, including government agencies and the public, to allow a the Chief Judge to breathe and refrain from engaging in character assassination or spreading unverified information.

In a related development, the group also condemned the recent nepotism allegations leveled against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, which according to them, Justice Ariwoola never influenced the National Judicial Council, NJC, into appointing his relatives, who are heading diverse positions across the judiciary bureaucracy.

“The propagators of this fake news are disgruntled element, who are hell bent at looking for a bad name to tarnish and discredit the reputation of the CJN.

“We therefore call on Nigerians to discard this cheap blackmail from persons who are out to defame Justice Ariwoola, who has positively transform the judiciary and reposition it for high productivity.

“He (Justice Ariwoola) has been able, through his proactive and pragmatic steps to improve the sanity and independence of the judiciary”, they said.

Meanwhile, the groups pointed out that even members of the Bench and Bar including the Judiciary staff have showered encomium on his sterling performance, since he took over the helm of affairs of the Judiciary in the country.

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