An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo handed six people death sentences on Monday 16th January

Four men were sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly robbing and killing Victor Akinbile, a relative of Mr. Benedict Alabi, the immediate past Osun State Governor.

The men who pleaded not guilty to avoid being convicted and sentenced were identified as Hammed Rafiu (37), Rasidi Wadi (39), Kayode Sunday (29), and Owolabi Bashiru (54).

Dele Akintayo, Prosecution counsel from the state Ministry of Justice told the court that Akinbile came to Osun for the swearing-in ceremony of Adeboyega Oyetola and then went to Ikirun to rest the night before he was taken hostage by the four men.

They forced entry into the victim's bedroom and demanded N10 million.

Akinbile was taken to his Toyota Camry trunk and driven to an area along the Osogbo/Ikirun road, where the car was set on fire. Before being killed, he reportedly transferred N3million to the bank account of one of his assailants. He also gave them cash.

Justice Jide Falola ruled that the convicts were to be sentenced to death and that no state pardon should be granted to them due to the severity of their offence.

Justice Falola also sentenced Mutiu Azeez a.k.a. Tompolo, 41, and Afolabi Mayowa, 35, to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder.

According to reports, the convicts killed and stole the motorbike of the commercial motorcyclist that they asked to take them to Egbeda.

Mon