A six-year trial came to a close yesterday as Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court handed down the death sentence to five individuals involved in the 2018 Offa bank robbery that left 32 people dead, including nine police officers.
Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham were found guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial began.
Justice Salman, in her four-hour ruling, stated that the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.” The court imposed a three-year prison sentence for illegal possession of firearms, in addition to the death sentence.
Lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), praised Justice Salman’s thoroughness, while defence counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba acknowledged the expected judgment and revealed plans to appeal.
In April 2018, daredevil robbers stormed five commercial banks in Offa, Kwara State, stealing an undisclosed sum and killing many, including nine policemen. The case drew widespread attention due to its brutality and complexity.
This verdict brings closure to the families of the victims, but the appeal process is expected to continue the legal battle.
