A 44-year-old man, Rafiu Saheed, has been sentenced to death by hanging over armed robbery and attempted murder in Osun State.
Justice Kudirat Akano of the State High Court, sitting in Ede on Thursday, convicted Saheed and ruled that he be hanged to death.
The Convict was arraigned on 30th of November, 2017, on a two-count charge of attempted murder and armed robbery contrary to sections 6(b) and 1 (2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms; Section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002; and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, respectively.
The convict had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
Prosecution counsel from the State Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi, had informed the court that Saheed committed the crimes on 30th July, 2012.
Awoyemi explained that the convict had contracted a motorcycle operator, Mr. Olaniyi Olayinka, to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife.
The Prosecutor said on getting to Ipetumodu, they did not meet the convict’s brother. Saheed was said to have informed the motorcyclist to take him back to Ile-Ife. While returning, the convict was said to have taken out a knife and slit the throat of Olayinka.
The convict was said to have taken away Olayinka’s motorcycle thinking he was dead.
Olayinka was said to have regained consciousness and reported the incident at a police station.
The accused was later arrested with the stolen motorcycle.
Sgt. Okeniyi Segun, a police officer attached to Ipetumodu Police Division, testified on how the accused was arrested at Moore Police Station and was transferred to the Ipetumodu Police Division.
After calling witnesses during hearing, the prosecution and defence closed their cases.
Justice Kudirat Akano said that prosecution had proven its case beyond doubt. She found Saheed guilty of two counts and convicted him accordingly.
The convict’s counsel, Barr. Julie Olorunfemi, pleaded with the court to temper Justice with mercy.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Akano sentenced Saheed to 14 years imprisonment on the count of attempted murder and sentenced him to death for armed robbery.
