Man, 26, gets death sentence for armed robbery
By Kusoro Jeremiah
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Friday sentenced to death a 26-year-old man, Genty Azeez, for armed robbery and David Adeniji, 29, to 20 years imprisonment for armed robbery and rape.
The two men with two others at large were pronounced guilty of conspiracy to commit and commission of armed robbery and rape.
The offences were said to have violated sections 297, 295(2)a and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice L.A. Okunnu while delivering his judgment said he had carefully considered the evidences given by three prosecution witnesses.
“Azeez and Adeniji with two others at large about the midnight of November 1, 2011 broke into the home of one, Alhaji Lawal somewhere in Onoja Estate, Epe, Lagos State.
“Apart from stealing items such as jewelry and phones, the four men had also raped one of Lawal’s daughters in turn.
“The two daughters, designated as PW1 and PW2, testified that the four robbers gained entrance into their home through the kitchen.
“They affirmed that the robbers came with two cutlasses demanding for the proceeds of a car which they claimed the family had sold the week before.
“Following explanations by the family that they had sold no car the four robbers pounced on them and beat them up. They raped one of the daughters and made away with their belongings.
“Adeniji also known as “Stone” lived in the same neighbourhood with the Lawals.
“He was apprehended the day after the incident while passing by the house.
“One of the girls said Adeniji, had been staring at the house, when she identified and pointed him out to his elder brother as one of the four men who had broken into their house.
“The elder brother had then rushed after him and apprehended him. He was subsequently handed over to the police.
“In her statement, the girl said she identified Adeniji because there was electricity supply as at the time of the operation and that Adeniji hadn’t covered his face.
“The sisters also said he was wearing the same shirt as the one he wore during the operation.
“Though Adeniji and Azeez claimed to be in their respective houses with their families at the time of the incident, the police said none of such family members appeared to corroborate their claims.” The judge stated
The court also said the two men failed to account for their own whereabouts as at the time of the incident.
Justice Okunnu said the testimonies given before the court by the two Lawal sisters had “a strong streak of credibility” and that the counter arguments of the convicts did not fly.
Adeniji and Lawal were both sentenced to death.
However, the court reviewed its judgement, upon plea by the counsel for the defence, Mrs. Olayinka Onabolu, of the Office of the Public Defender.
Onabolu urged the court to temper mercy with justice in punishing Adeniji on the grounds that his parents were aged.
Following no objection from the prosecution counsel, Mr. Teslim Fashanu, Okunnu sentenced Adeniji to a 20-year jail term.