A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has found three individuals guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging for offences relating to armed robbery and kidnapping.
The convicts were held responsible for crimes committed against a farmer and his wife (names withheld) at their farmland in Ilorin, Kwara State.
While delivering judgment, Justice Funsho Lawal ruled that the defendants, Patrick Afedia Adams, Tijani Usman and Ahmed Muhammad, were convicted on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and rape.
The court heard that on June 15, 2025, at Kanjile village along the Kulende axis of Ilorin, the convicts, armed with cutlasses and an axe, attacked the victims, dispossessed them of their belongings and later abducted them.
Justice Lawal held that the defendants were jointly responsible for the offences of conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping.
However, Tijani Usman was separately convicted of rape and sentenced to an additional 20 years’ imprisonment for the offence.
For armed robbery, the court imposed life imprisonment on the convicts, while they were sentenced to death by hanging for kidnapping. Tijani Usman was also handed an extra 20-year jail term for rape.
The court disclosed that while the victims were held captive, the convicts demanded a ransom of N5 million, which was paid into the wife’s bank account.
It further revealed that the defendants later requested the bank details to withdraw the ransom, but only N4,000 was withdrawn before they were apprehended by the police.
In its account of events, the court stated that the victims were restrained with ropes, after which Tijani Usman raped the wife.
Justice Lawal said the prosecution successfully established the offence of rape beyond reasonable doubt through medical evidence and other corroborative materials, including the confession of the convict.
The court also informed the convicts of their right to appeal within the period allowed by law.
Speaking after the judgment, counsel to the convicts, Mr Adebayo, said he was satisfied with the ruling, describing it as proof of the court’s diligence and a positive step toward improving public safety.
On her part, the lead prosecution counsel, Mrs Nagode, appreciated the judge and expressed satisfaction with the verdict, praying for continued wisdom and sound health as he administers justice.
Earlier, the convicts had appealed for leniency, citing their age and pledging to reform if granted mercy.
