An Ado-Ekiti High Court on Thursday sentenced a 19-
year-old boy, Adeolu Bamiteko, to death by hanging for
armed robbery.
The Judge, Justice John Adeyeye, who handed the
sentence, also slammed another 10-year jail term on the
convict for unlawful possession of firearms.
Adeyeye held that the accused was guilty as charged
having committed the offence contrary to Section 6 (b)
of Robbery Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R11
Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.
He said that Bamiteko was arrested and arraigned
alongside a 12-year-old boy, Ayobami Ojo, on a three-
count charge of conspiracy, robbery and unlawful
possession of firearms.
The court, Adeyeye said, discharged the boy on grounds
of being underage in line with Section 30 of the Criminal
Code.
He said Bamiteko’s charge sheet stated that he robbed
one Adefunke Amire of her Nokia phone near the Ewi’s
Palace in Ado-Ekiti on July 14, 2016, with a locally-made
pistol with live cartridge and one knife.
The judge said that the convict was arraigned on Feb. 16,
2017, and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Adeyeye said that the prosecution called three witnesses
to prove the case while the accused did not call any
witness.
He also said that the prosecution tendered exhibits such
as the statement of the accused, items stolen from the
victim and one locally-made pistol with live cartridge.
Others were one knife, two Nokia phones and a golden
wristwatch which were admitted as exhibits.
He held that the court found Bamiteko guilty of armed
robbery and unlawful possession of firearm as
contained in counts one to three and accordingly
convicted him.
“On count two, the sentence of armed robbery is
mandatory in respect of which I have no discretion.
Therefore, the 2nd defendant is sentenced to death by
hanging until he be dead. May the Lord have mercy on
your soul.
“On count three, the second defendant is sentenced to 10
years’ imprisonment,” the judge ruled.
