The court dismissed the appeal of the convicts for lack of merit.

The appellate panel, comprising Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, Justice Gabriel Kolawole and Justice Abdul Dogo, upheld the judgment of Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara High Court which sentenced the appellants to death by hanging.

The convicts are Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun and Adeola Abraham.

In its ruling, the court rejected all the grounds of appeal filed by the appellants and ordered their immediate return to prison custody.

The convictions arose from the coordinated bank robbery carried out in April 2018 in Offa, headquarters of Offa local government area of Kwara, during which five commercial banks were attacked.

No fewer than 32 persons, including nine police officers, were killed during the attacks.

The convicts were found guilty of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.

A sixth suspect, who was a retired police officer, Michael Adikwu, died in custody before the commencement of the trial.

Justice Saleeman had earlier sentenced the five convicts to death by hanging after a trial that lasted about six years and attracted nationwide attention.

The lead prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s decision as thorough and well considered, inspite of the prolonged delays that characterised the trial.

Mr Abdullah Jimba, counsel to one of the convicts, said preparations were underway to pursue a final appeal at the Supreme Court.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

NNPC Ltd unveils Gas Master Plan 2.0

LIRS extends deadline for filing of annual returns

Police kill four bandits in shootout in Benue

NCC committed to continuous improvement of digital ecosystem -Maida

Lagos’ll support NCC for economic growth, Sanwo-Olu promises

PSC appoints one DIG, promotes two AIGs, 26,119 Inspectors

NELFUND extends application deadline for 2025/2026 session

Fuel: Dangote refinery affirms capacity to supply more than enough

FG approves ₦1trn metro rail service for Kano

Attacks against journalists: MRA identifies police as worst offenders

Court remands farmer for allegedly defiling two minors

FGBMFI Nigeria unveils logo for 2026 Lagos national convention

Alleged terrorism: Rescued victims filed complaints against Tukur Mamu -DSS witness

Atiku Abubakar’s cognitive dissonance, By Sunday Dare

The post Offa robbery: Appeal Court affirms death sentences on five convicts appeared first on Frontpageng.