A 44-year-old man, Rafiu Saheed on Thursday has been sentenced to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempted murder in Osun State.
Saheed was arraigned before an Osun State High Court presided over by Justice Kudirat Akano on the 30th of November, 2017.
Upon arraignment, the Prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi informed the court that sometimes on July 30, 2012, Saheed contracted Mr. Olaniyi Olayinka a commercial motorcyclist to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife. On getting to Ipetumodu, they did not meet his brother. Saheed then informed motorcyclist to take him back to Ile-Ife. While returning, the convict took out a knife and slit the throat of the motorcyclist.
“The Convict took away the motorcycle belonging to Olaniyi Olayinka (motorcyclist) thinking he was dead. Olaniyi Olayinka later went to report the incident to the nearest police station. Saheed was arrested with the motorcycle which belongs to Olaniyi Olayinka.”
He noted that the offence of armed robbery and attempted murder contravene sections 6(b) and 1 (2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
However, he pleaded not guilty to the two counts preferred against him.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel called two witnesses and tendered three exhibits.
An officer attached to Ipetumodu Police Division, Sergeant Okeniyi Segun testified on how the convict was arrested and his statement obtained at both the Division and State Criminal Investigation Department.
The presiding judge, Justice Kudirat Akano in her judgement on Thursday said that prosecution Counsel has proved his case beyond doubt and hereby found him guilty of two counts preferred against him.
The counsel to the convict, Julie Olorunfemi of the legal aid Council pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Akano sentenced Saheed to 14 years imprisonment for attempted murder while he should be hung to death for armed robbery.
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