Court sentences four to death for stealing N10,000 phone

Justice Rayo Taiwo of an Oyo State High Court sitting at Iyaganku, Ibadan on Friday sentenced four people to death for stealing a cell phone valued at N10,000.

The four – Alaba Akinola, 30, Sarafa Babalola 25, Sola Kolawole, 27, and Ibrahim Gbedeogun 28 – were accused of armed robbery.

The state counsel, Mr I. O Mojoyinola, said the defendants committed the crime at Ayekale, Ibadan.

Mojoyinola said the defendants robbed their victim of a cell phone valued at N10,000 on Oct. 16, 2011, at Gangansi at about 4.30 a.m. with guns and cutlasses.

The offence contravened section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap. RII Vol.14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

The court also sentenced one Asumo Garuba, 30, to death for the murder of one Rasaki Ayomo on Sept. 12, 2012.

Justice Taiwo sentenced Garuba to death after being found guilty of hacking Ayomo to death.

Principal state counsel, Mr O. S. Tella had told the court that Garuba killed Ayomo when he was about to buy bean cake at about 8.30p.m. at Oke-Are, Ijaye Moniya, Ibadan.

“Garuba suddenly appeared and hacked Ayomo with a cutlass, leading to his death three days later at the hospital due to injuries sustained in the incident.’’