NAN-H-82
Jail
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, May 11, 2017 (NAN) An Ekiti High Court on Thursday sentenced two persons, Ajibade Adeniyi and Tosin Ojo, to 21 years imprisonment each after being found guilty of robbery.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who presided over the case, held that the terms were to run from the day of their arrest and detention in 2012.
Adeniyi was 22 at the time of his arrest in 2012 while Ojo was 16.
The judge held that though the prosecution failed to prove the case of armed robbery against the accused, they were, however, found guilty of robbery.
NAN recalls that Adeniyi, Ojo and one Lekan Olatunji were arrested and remanded in Ado Ekiti prisons after allegedly committing the crime.
The third suspect, Olatunji, was among those who escaped during the Nov. 30, 2014 jailbreak at Ado Ekiti Federal Prisons.
The Director of Public Prosecution(DPP), Gbemiga Adaramola, appeared for the State, with Chris Omokhafe appearing for Adeniyi and Adeola Adetayo from the Legal Aid Council appearing for Ojo.
The prosecution told the court that the accused had robbed a house at Ureje area of Ado Ekiti, carting away cell phones and N20, 000.
They were later arrested at their hideout in Mugbagba area of the town.
NAN also recalls that the accused were first arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court before the issuance of legal advice from the Office of the DPP.
The legal advice, however, established only a case of robbery against the accused.
The DPP called three witnesses and tendered some exhibits, including the statements of the accused.
Other items tendered by the DPP included a knife, cutlass, two pairs of sandals, a mask, two cell phones, two torch lights and money.
The defence did not, however, call any witness throughout the trial. (NAN)
ARIS/KOLE/OJO
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Mufutau Ojo)