Court sentences five to death for Offa bank robbery

Five individuals involved in the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery have been sentenced to death by hanging for their roles in the violent crime, which left 32 people dead, including nine police officers. The Kwara State High Court, presided over by Justice Haleemah Salman, found the accused guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms.

The convicted men—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham—were sentenced after a lengthy six-year trial that garnered widespread public interest. A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a former police officer, died in custody before the trial commenced.

The robbery, which took place at five different banks in Offa Local Government Area in 2018, shocked the nation with its brutality. Among the 32 people killed were nine police officers, two of whom were women, as the robbers unleashed terror on the town.

Justice Salman, delivering her judgment, which lasted over four hours, found the defendants guilty on a five-count charge that included conspiracy, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. She ruled that the convicts had committed heinous acts, robbing and murdering innocent citizens, and sentenced them to death by hanging.

In addition to the death penalty, the court imposed a three-year prison sentence for the illegal possession of firearms, in accordance with Nigeria’s penal code.

During her ruling, Justice Salman remarked, “The convicts acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”

Lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed satisfaction with the outcome, praising the judge’s thoroughness in navigating the complexities of the case despite numerous distractions that delayed the trial.

Defence counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba, representing Mr. Mathias Emeribe, acknowledged that the judgment was not unexpected. He confirmed that his client was already preparing to file an appeal against the verdict