Court Sentences Five To Death By Hanging For Armed Robbery And Murder In Ekiti

The High Court of Ekiti State, sitting in Ado-Ekiti and presided over by Hon. Justice O.O. Olatawura, convicted and sentenced five individuals to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

The court also imposed a 21-year prison sentence for conspiracy on the convicts.

The individuals convicted were Ojo Tope (a.k.a. Tope Dudu), Damilola Christopher (a.k.a. XY), Joshua Adegoke, Aderopo Temitope (a.k.a. Tope Pupa), and Oyedele Oluwatobi. They were found guilty of committing the crimes on August 18, 2021, at Agogo Street, Ilupeju Avenue, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti.

During the robbery, the convicts stole cash, laptops, mobile phones, and other valuables from victims Ajiboye Olajide, Lateef Temidayo Busari, and Akeem Isiaka. They also murdered the street night guard, Joseph Blessing.

The five were charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder under the Criminal Code Law of Ekiti State, 2012, and the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004.

The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Julius Ajibare, Esq., presented four witnesses and submitted 13 exhibits. The defence counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, represented all five defendants, each of whom testified without calling additional witnesses.

In his ruling, Justice Olatawura stated that the prosecution had proven all charges beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, the court sentenced all five convicts to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder and 21 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.