Six men have been handed varying sentences by the Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, for their involvement in crimes including conspiracy, robbery, and receiving stolen property. Lateef Bamisile (31), Omodara Sanya (32), Lasisi Talabi (27), Omojola Damilare (30), Adamu Mohammed (39), and Abubakar Garuba (52) were arraigned on August 31, 2022, facing charges under Sections 421, 241, 312(2)(b), and 343 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. The charges stemmed from their alleged actions on various dates in 2022, where they conspired to rob individuals of their Bajaj motorcycles, attempted murder, and received stolen motorcycles in Ado Ekiti.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Oluwaseun Olasanmi, presented nine witnesses and tendered defendants’ statements, motorcycles particulars, and bond to produce as exhibits. The defendants, represented by their respective lawyers, chose not to call any witnesses.

In his judgment, delivered by Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi, he noted a pattern of robberies committed by the defendants involving motorcycles. Relying on the confessional statements of the accused, Justice Ogunyemi found the first four defendants guilty of conspiracy and robbery, sentencing them to seven years imprisonment each for conspiracy and 21 years each for robbery. Adamu Mohammed and Abubakar Garba, the fifth and sixth defendants, were found guilty of receiving stolen motorcycles and were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each.

The judgment underscores the court’s reliance on confessional statements and exhibits presented during the trial, resulting in significant penalties for the convicted individuals.