An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, has delivered a stern judgment, sentencing three individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the armed robbery of an 87-year-old woman. The convicts, identified as Shadrack Apos (30), Lucky Akpos (33), and Adunola Precious (24), faced a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. They were formally arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on August 19, 2024.

The court heard that on June 12, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti, the defendants conspired and subsequently robbed Mrs. Victoria Folorunso, an octogenarian, of a cash sum of N147,000 and a wristwatch. During the commission of the crime, the perpetrators were armed with a gun and planks, acts deemed contrary to Sections 421 and 321 (2) (b) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

In her compelling testimony, the victim, Mrs. Folorunso, recounted the terrifying ordeal. She stated that she was awakened around 1:00 am to find two intruders in her room. One assailant brandished a gun and held it to her forehead, while the second was armed with a plank. They demanded all the money she had in the house. She disclosed that they took N100,000 she had on hand and an additional N47,000 she had kept in her underwear. Her wristwatch, a cherished gift from her children, was also stolen. Though they initially took her phone, it was later returned to her.

The robbery escalated with further threats. When the assailants threatened to shoot her, Mrs. Folorunso revealed she had N3 million in her bank account. They then instructed her to withdraw the sum the following day and deliver it to Precious Adunola, her house help, who was to hand it over to them by 11:00 am. Mrs. Folorunso noted that the robbers did not wear masks, did not force their entry, and interacted freely with her house help, raising suspicions about Adunola's involvement. The victim was also sternly warned against informing anyone, with threats of kidnapping and kill if she did. She later received threatening calls due to the delay in retrieving the money before finally informing her children.

The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented a robust case to the court. Adeyemo called two witnesses and tendered several pieces of evidence, including the defendants' statements, a search warrant, and a wooden gun. The defense, with lawyers Oluwatoyin Marcus and Mitchel Aribisala representing the accused, each called one witness.

In his conclusive judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye meticulously reviewed the evidence. He highlighted the pivotal role of the third defendant, Adunola Precious, stating, "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 affirmed that the prosecution had convincingly established that the defendants planned and agreed to rob Mrs. Folorunso on June 12, 2024, proving the charges of conspiracy and armed robbery beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consequently, all three defendants were found guilty and convicted as charged. Justice Ogunmoye pronounced the severe sentence: "The 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead. May God have mercy on their souls." This verdict underscores the court's firm stance against violent crime and its commitment to justice for victims.