Crime
Boko Haram terrorist sentenced to death by hanging in Ekiti
A Boko Haram terrorist has been convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, a judge of Ekiti State High Court, handed down the judgement to Abdulsalam Adinoyi in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
Adinoyi was charged with a five-count charge of armed robbery, murder, terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to Justice Ogunmoye, the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant..
In the charge sheet, it was stated Adinoyi, a native of Okene, Kogi, between December 22, 2016, and March 20, 2017, while armed with a gun, attacked and robbed Gana Jiya, a police sergeant, and other police officers at a checkpoint in Oye Ekiti.
Jiya died on the spot while the others sustained gun wounds.
The terrorist then carted away two AK-47 assault rifles, and attacked the people of Ekiti State and its environs.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Gbemiga Adaramola, called five witnesses, including police officers who were at the scene.
Exhibits tendered included an AK-47 assault rifle, statement of the defendant and the victims, photographs, compact discs containing Boko Haram trainings, five Sim Cards and packs, flash drives, empty bullet shells, medical reports, among others
Mr Adinoyi’s offences were said to be contrary to sections 1 (2) (a) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap C16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 316 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and Sections 11 and 12 of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (Prohibition Law), 2015.
Adinoyi confessed to being a member of Boko Haram and in possession of an AK-47.
He further said members of his group named Abu Uwais and Aminu a.k.a. Idi-Amin were planning an operation when police officers came to his house, which was searched and the AK-47 rifle was recovered among other items.
The judge said the sole issues for determination are accordingly resolved in favour of the prosecution.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty as charged; he is accordingly sentenced to death by hanging in counts 1, 2, and 3. May Almighty God have mercy on his soul.
“He is also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in count 4 and ten years imprisonment in count 5 with N10,000.00 as an option of fine,” the judge said.