According to the charge, “the defendants on June 12, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti did conspire to rob one Victoria Folorunso of the cash sum of N147,000 and a wristwatch.
Three armed robbers were on Monday sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti for robbing an 87-year-old woman of her money and personal belongings.
Identified as 30-year-old Shadrack Apos, 33-year-old Lucky Akpos, and 24-year-old Adunola Precious, the convicts were found guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery in connection with the attack on Mrs. Victoria Folorunso at her residence in Ifaki Ekiti on June 12, 2024.
According to the charge, “the defendants on June 12, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti did conspire to rob one Victoria Folorunso of the cash sum of N147,000 and a wristwatch.
“As at the time of the robbery, they were armed with a gun and planks, contrary to Sections 421 and 321 (2) (b) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.”
Testifying before the court, the 87-year-old victim narrated how she was attacked in the middle of the night.
“I was sleeping around 1 am when I suddenly saw two persons in my room, one holding and pointing a gun at my forehead, while the second person held a plank. They asked me to bring all the money I have at home,” she said.
Mrs. Folorunso told the court that the robbers took N100,000 she kept under her mattress and another N47,000 hidden in her underwear.
“They took my wristwatch, presented to me by my children. They also took my phone, but they returned it to me,” she added.
The elderly woman further testified that the robbers threatened to shoot her unless she withdrew an additional N3 million from her account and gave it to her house help, Adunola Precious, to deliver to them the next morning.
“They did not wear masks, they did not break down the door and were relating freely with my house help. They warned me not to tell anybody, or else they would kidnap and kill me.
“They were calling and threatening me thereafter for taking too long to send the money to them. I later called and informed my children,” she said.
The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented two witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including the defendants’ statements, a search warrant, and a wooden gun.
The defendants, represented by their counsels Oluwatoyin Marcus and Mitchel Aribisala, each called one witness in their defense.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found the trio guilty of both charges.
“My earlier findings that the 3rd defendant, Adunola Precious, must have opened the door to enable the robbers to have seamless entry into the house she was sharing with the victim aptly demonstrated her own pivotal role in the plan to rob the victim,” the judge said.
He added that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“From the believable evidence before the court, it is clear that the defendants planned and agreed to rob the victim on 12th June, 2024.
“The charge of conspiracy and armed robbery had therefore been proved beyond a reasonable doubt against the defendants,” Justice Ogunmoye ruled.
He thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendants to death by hanging, declaring, “The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead. May God have mercy on their souls.”
