The Ondo State High Court in Akure has sentenced a serving police officer, David Friday, and a self-acclaimed soldier, Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for a series of armed robbery attacks in Idanre.
Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide handed down the sentence on Thursday after finding the two men guilty on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating security personnel.
According to court proceedings, the crimes occurred on January 15, 2021. The convicts—one dressed in a black police T-shirt and the other in military camouflage—terrorised residents, using jack knives and a pistol to rob victims of cash, phones, and fuel.
One victim, Akinleye, testified that the men stopped his vehicle at night, took ₦6,000 from him, and forced him to buy 30 litres of petrol for their motorcycle. He later discovered that his phone, valued at ₦8,500, was also missing.
Another witness, security guard Lanre Olowogbadegun, told the court that the duo attacked a bus driver, beat him, and stole ₦5,000. They allegedly offered him ₦2,000, which he refused. The driver later identified Friday as one of the robbers.
A third victim, transporter Adeyeye Sesan, said the men assaulted him, demanded ₦10,000, and eventually stole ₦125,000 from his pocket, injuring his leg with a dagger before threatening to kill him.
Police prosecutor Ilesanmi Samuel told the court that investigations revealed Friday was a serving officer attached to Olofin Police Station, Idanre, while Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Nigerian Army at Owena Cantonment, Akure. Both men confessed to the crimes during interrogation.
Delivering judgment, Justice Olamide ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced the convicts to death by hanging.
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