Family alludes fate to generational curse
…as counsel heads to A/Court, says judgement can’t stand
By Kayode Adeoti
ย The arrest
Following the incarceration of the notorious Olatunji Ibrahim Ariyo and his cohorts four years ago,ย ย there is widespread belief that the ancient city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital has been enjoying relative peace and tranquility.
His arrest by the Nigeria Police Force then was said to have attracted jubilation by members of his community in Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, Kwara State, who were said to have long awaited it.
Ariyo and his gang members were allegedly known for their notoriety in their neighbourhood and its environs. They were said to have constantly terrorised residents; dispossessing them of their valuables. It was also gathered that the notorious gang set ablaze houses of people who refused to ‘co-operate’ with them during their heinous operations.
Judgement
For four years, Ariyo has been in prison custody awaiting verdicts overย ย criminal cases in both Magistrate and High Court, sitting in Ilorin. But last week, a judgement was handed down and he was condemed to deathย ย by hanging alongsideย ย his cohorts; Ganiyu Sulyman Yaro, Timothy Oyebanji, Lukman Olateju Sanda and Akeem Olayinka (deceased).
According to the judgement delivered by the trial judge, Justice Adenike Akinpelu, the convicts were tried on a six count charge for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, causing mischief by fire and theft contrary to section 6 (b) and 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and sections 337 and 286 of the Penal code.
The court held that on 25th April, 2015, the convicts committed the said offences at Agbarere area, in Ilorin.
“Each of the convicts are sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 2 years and the sum of N25,000 is imposed as fine on each of them on count 5 for causing mischief by fire.
“Each of the convicts are sentenced to death to be executed pursuant to robbery and Firearms act on count 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the offences of criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery respectively.
Recall that in the proof of evidence, Ariyo with his gang invaded home of no fewer than eight families in Ilorin metropolis to carry out robbery attacks.
Among the victims of his attack is one Abdulateef Baanu of Agbarere area of Ilorin, who testified before the court that the accused persons set his house ablaze after removing some items.
“My building is four bedroom flat which I used N5million to build, other buildings within the community were burnt too. The group of these miscreants were armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons,” the proof of evidence revealed.
Also, Abdulraheem Shuaib informed the court that Ariyo and his cohorts invaded his apartment and threatened to set his house on fire if he pleads with him.
It further stated that the accused persons removed all the valuable items in his house.
On his part, Lukamn Issa stated that on 25th April, 2015, the accused persons forcefully broke down his main door,ย ย armed with guns and cutlasses.
“They packed all the electronics gadgets and the food stuffs in the house. Despite all our pleadings not to kill any of us, they insisted they wanted to set the house ablaze and that we should leave. They eventually burnt the house before they left.
Other testifiers in the case include; Ademola Omolewu, Insp. Monday Ogidiagba, CPL Adebayo Thomas, PC Anzaku Ruse and an exhibit keeper.
Visit to family house, relatives react
Gloom enveloped theย ย Mogaji Are compound, Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, yesterday,ย ย when our reporter visited the ancestral home of Ariyo.
His foster mother, Ayinke Ariyo and other members of the family who sat on bare floor had their faces etched in deep sorrow. There was pin drop silence except for their intermittent sighs.
The family house was unsightly; the structure is falling apart. A wall has collapsed and a part of the roof had been blown off.
Speaking in an emotional laden voiceย ย hisย ย foster motherย ย who is in her 70sย ย lamented that with Ariyo’s protracted absence, the family has suffered great loss. The septuagenarian said the family house is in a decrepit state because her son who is their benefactor had been in jail for so long.
Ayinke claimed that her son was innocent of all the charges levelled against him, adding that he is an upright man not capable of indulging in all the grievous crimes he was sentenced to death for.
ย “All what the court said about him is not true, he is a kind and hard working man. I believe God has destined individuals’ journey in life, this is his fate and there is nothing we can do about it.
“What he’s passing through is lineage curse. Whoever that is born, who will succeed in life and have glorious future, will face challenges. He cannot kill, he helps people a lot,” she asserted resignedly.
Reacting to the judgement, the convict’s elder brother, Bolaji corroborated their aged mother, saying that Ariyo’s plight is as a result of lineage curse. He said, it’s a family issue which must be settled spiritually.
According to him, we will be approaching court through our counsel in order to seek redress.
“My brother is hard working and he has a trade, he sells goat and cow. He is the one takingย ย care of us all. He’s not a thief, criminal, hoodlum and everyone in Idi Apa area can testify to that. He was in court because he was accused of setting houses ablaze.
“When the incident occurred, Ariyo was not around, but he was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to death for offences he did not commit. I testified to all of these in court but I wondered why my testimony was given no attention. He is our God sent that cares for every member of this compound. The family house is on the verge of collapse butย ย there is no one to mend it.
Also lending his voice, Wasiu, the convict’s younger brother, who pleaded for the release of his brother, said his absence has forced him out of school.
“My brother paid my tuition fee till I finished National Diploma Certificate programme in Kwara State Polytechnic. I wanted to proceed for my Higher National Diploma Certificate but there is no one to sponsor it because of the incarceration of my brother. However,ย ย all hope is not lost.”
For Latifat Olateju, wife of Lukman Ibrahim Olateju who was also convicted, “Life has been miserable.
” I gave birth to my son, Muhammadu Buhari, 21 days after my husband was arrested. He did not know anything about the offence,” she also claimed.
Lawyers
The Director of Public Prosecution, Barr. Abdulmumini Adebimpe Jimoh, who spoke to this medium on the issue noted that the judgement delivered by the trial judge has put to rest fears, troubles of members of the community in Ilorin metropolis where the convicts had operated unhindered for several years.
“The judgement has two -fold dimensions, for those who have been injured by the act of the accused persons particularly, those at the Idi-Apa area and its environs. For those whose houses were burnt, the judgement is a succour for them.
“For the family of the accused, the judgment will send a message to other thugs out there that there is no gain in being a thug, you can be involved in it forย ย ย several years, but theย ย law will catch up with you. The judgement is milestone in Ilorin jurisdiction. He has been sentenced to death,ย ย that is the position of the law. “
But, the defence counsel, Barr. Toyin Onanolapo expressed dissatisfaction over the judgement. vowing to appeal it.
“All our defences tendered before the court were not attended to, we’re going to appeal. Before the end of the week, we will file our papers before the Court of Appeal and I hope we get judgement in our favour. Ariyo is not a criminal, nor hoodlum, he hates cheating. He was not at the scene of the crime”, He said..
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