Court Upholds Death Sentences for Five Convicts in Offa Bank Robbery
The Court of Appeal in Ilorin, Kwara State, has dismissed the appeals of five men convicted over the 2018 Offa bank robbery, upholding their death sentences.
The convicts, Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham, were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms following coordinated attacks on five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area.
Delivering a unanimous verdict on Friday, Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Gabriel Kolawole, and Abdul Dogo affirmed the judgement of the Kwara State High Court, which sentenced the men to death by hanging.
The court held that the appellants failed to establish any miscarriage of justice and agreed that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mohammed Akande, Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, said the convicts had been taken back to prison after the appeal was dismissed.
“The Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and upheld the convictions,” he said.
Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court handed down the death sentences after a six-year trial that attracted nationwide attention.
In her four-hour judgement, she noted that the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”
In addition to the death penalty, the convicts were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.
Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s decision as “thorough and well-considered,” noting it reaffirmed the strength of the case despite delays that extended the trial.
Counsel to one of the convicts, Abdullah Jimba, said preparations were underway to file a final appeal at the Supreme Court.
A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial began.
The April 2018 robbery, which targeted five commercial banks in Offa, claimed at least 32 lives, including nine police officers, making it one of Nigeria’s deadliest bank heists.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
