Two Men Sentenced To Death By Hanging In Ekiti For Robbing Female Lecturer
Two men, Fakorede Olawale, 36 years old and Tunji Olatunji, 39 years old, have been sentenced to death by hanging, by an Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, for armed robbery.
They were tried on three counts of attempted murder, attempted rape and armed robbery.
The charge sheet reads, “The defendants on November 24, 2015, at the Adehun area, beside Petim Sawmill, Iworoko Road, Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court, did attempt to murder, attempt to rape and rob one Titilope Ayeni on the same day.
“The offences are contrary to sections 320 and 559 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, also Section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
In her statement to the police, the victim, a 53-year-old lecturer, said, she was about to sleep around 8pm when her generator suddenly stopped working.
She added that she went to check what happened to it and in the process, the defendants emerged from his compound.
“Before I said a word, they started cutting me with machetes. I shouted, as I defended my head and face. They dragged me inside my room and attempted to rape me, but they got distracted when my phone rang.
“Thereafter, they tried unsuccessfully to dump me inside my well. Following my shout, my neighbours called the police who came on time in a patrol van. One of the robbers, Fakorede Olawale, escaped with my N15,000 cash, my gold valued at $350, my phone, ATM cards and other valuables I cannot remember. He was later arrested” She said.
Police prosecutor, Gbemiga Adaramola, called four witnesses and tendered the victim’s photographs, statements, and bond to release recovered items to the owner, among others, as exhibits.
The defendants spoke in their own defence through their counsel but did not call any witness and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Familoni said the prosecution proved the offences of attempted murder, attempted rape and armed robbery against the first defendant and attempted murder and armed robbery against the second defendant.
The judge said, “On count one, attempted murder, the two defendants are sentenced to life imprisonment. On count two, attempted rape, the first defendant is sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment without a fine option, while the second defendant is discharged and acquitted.
“On count three, armed robbery, the two defendants are sentenced to death. May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
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