An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for robbing an 87-year-old woman of ₦186,000 and a wristwatch.
The convicts — Shadrack Apos (30), Lucky Akpos (33), and Adunola Precious (24) — were charged with conspiracy and armed robbery. They were accused of attacking Madam Victoria Folorunso at her residence in Ifaki Ekiti on June 12, 2024.
According to the charge, the defendants conspired and forcefully took ₦147,000 and a wristwatch from the victim while armed with a gun and wooden planks — acts contrary to Sections 421 and 321(2)(b) of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.
During her testimony, the elderly woman told the court that she was asleep around 1 a.m. when two men entered her room — one pointing a gun at her while the other held a plank. They demanded all the money she had at home.
“They lifted my mattress and took ₦100,000 I kept there, another ₦47,000 hidden in my underwear, and my wristwatch — a gift from my children,” she said.
“They also took my phone but later returned it. When they threatened to shoot me, I told them I had ₦3 million in my account. They ordered me to withdraw it the next day and hand it over to my househelp, Adunola Precious, by 11 a.m. They didn’t wear masks and spoke freely with her.”
The robbers warned her not to tell anyone, threatening to kidnap and kill her if she disobeyed. They later called repeatedly, demanding the promised money, until she informed her children about the ordeal.
Prosecution counsel, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented two witnesses and tendered key exhibits, including the defendants’ confessional statements, a search warrant, and a wooden gun. Each defendant also called one witness in their defence through their lawyers, Oluwatoyin Marcus and Mitchel Aribisala.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye held that the prosecution had proved the charges of conspiracy and armed robbery beyond reasonable doubt.
He noted that Adunola Precious, the victim’s househelp, played a crucial role by allowing the robbers easy access into the house.
“The evidence clearly shows that the defendants jointly planned and executed the robbery on June 12, 2024. They are therefore found guilty as charged,” the judge stated.
Justice Ogunmoye consequently sentenced all three to death by hanging, adding, “May God have mercy on their souls.”
