Ilorin, Kwara State – The Court of Appeal in Ilorin has upheld the death sentences for five men convicted in connection with the notorious 2018 Offa bank robbery, dismissing their appeals as unfounded.
The ruling, delivered by a panel of three judges, confirmed the earlier verdict from the Kwara State High Court, which condemned the convicts to death by hanging. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed Akande, who attended the proceedings virtually, stated that the judges unanimously agreed on the judgment.
Unyielding Justice
“The Court of Appeal, comprising Honourable Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Gabriel Kolawole, and Abdul Dogo, affirmed the judgment of Honourable Justice H. A. Saleeman,” Akande reported. The convicted individuals—Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham—were found guilty of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide.
An official from the court confirmed that all grounds of appeal submitted by the convicts were dismissed, ordering their immediate return to prison custody. “The court rejected all their appeals and upheld their convictions. They have been taken back to prison,” the official stated.
While the convicts retain the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, legal experts suggest that the arguments presented during the appeal were weak and unlikely to succeed at the apex court.
A Grim Reminder
The convictions stem from a coordinated bank heist in April 2018, which targeted five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 32 individuals, including nine police officers, two of whom were female. This incident is now regarded as one of the deadliest bank robberies in Nigeria’s history.
Justice Haleemah Saleeman, who presided over the initial trial, sentenced the five men to death by hanging after a rigorous six-year legal process that attracted significant national attention. In her over four-hour judgment, Justice Saleeman stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, emphasising that the convicts had “acted contrary to the law” and had been led astray by their connections to those in power at the time.
In addition to the death sentences, the trial court imposed a three-year prison term for illegal possession of firearms in accordance with Nigeria’s penal laws.
Legal Perspectives
Lead prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) commended the appellate court’s decision as thorough and well-reasoned, despite the prolonged delays that characterised the trial. “This ruling reaffirms the commitment to justice in our legal system,” Jacobs remarked.
On the defence side, Abdullah Jimba, representing one of the convicts, confirmed that preparations are underway to pursue a final appeal at the Supreme Court, indicating that the legal battle is far from over.
Conclusion
The appellate court’s decision not only reaffirms the severity of the crimes committed during the Offa bank robbery but also reflects a broader commitment to justice within Nigeria’s legal framework. As the convicts prepare for a possible Supreme Court appeal, this case remains a poignant reminder of the challenges posed by violent crime in the nation, as well as the enduring quest for justice for the victims and their families.
