By Kayode Adeoti, Ilorin
The Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, yesterday, convicted three persons, and sentenced them to death by hanging for the offences of armed robbery, rape, kidnapping among others.
The offences were committed against one Mr Olubunmi Komolafe and his wife, Mrs Adeola Morenikeji at their farm, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The trial judge, Justice Funsho Lawal while handling down the judgement, revealed that the convicts; Patrick Afedia Adams, Tijani Usman and Ahmed Muhammad were sentenced on 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape, armed robbery and kidnapping.
The judge revealed that on 15th June, 2025 at Kanjile village, via Kulende area, Ilorin, the convicts armed with cutlasses and axe robbed the complainants of their valuables and also kidnapped them.
“Having being charged with the offence of conspiracy, they will all suffered the same punishments for other count charge as armed robber and kidnapping except for the Usman Tijani who bagged 20 years jail term in addition for the offence of rape” the court handed down
For the armed robbery, the court sentenced them to live imprisonment, death by hanging for kidnapping and additional 20 years imprisonment for the offence of rape on Usman Tijani.
According to the judge, the convicts while holding their victims hostage during operation, demanded payment of five million as ransom and ordered that it should be transfered into the wife’s account in which it was done.
The judgement further disclosed that they demanded the wife’s account details in order to be able to withdraw the money and only four thousand was withdrawn as at the time of their arrest by the police.
Justice Lawal revealed that the prosecution was able to prove the case of rape beyond reasonable doubt against the convict with medical reports and other ingredients that collaborate the convict’s confession that he penetrated into Mrs Adeola’s.
Justice Lawal however informed the convicts that they have right of appeal within the stipulated time by law.
The convict’s counsel, Mr Adebayo expressed satisfaction over the judgement saying it’s a testament to the confirmation that the judge is thorough and that the society will eventually be a save place.
On her part, the prosecution leading counsel, Mrs Nagode thank the judge while expressing satisfaction over the verdicts praying that God will grant him wisdom and health to dispense more landmark judgement on the bench.
Meanwhile, the convicts have earlier pleaded for mercy, saying they are all young with bright future, promising not to commit any crime again if they are pardoned.