By Omowumi Omotosho
The Kwara State High Court has sentenced five suspects connected to the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery to death by hanging.
The court’s decision, delivered on Thursday afternoon, follows years of legal proceedings in which the prosecution successfully proved the involvement of the accused in the heinous crimes.
Justice Haleemah Salman, the presiding judge, ruled that the defendants were guilty of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide. These offences, according to Nigerian law, carry death penalty.
The convicts—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran—were part of a violent group of robbers who attacked multiple commercial banks in Offa, Kwara State, in April 2018. The robbery left a devastating toll, with dozens of people killed, including nine police officers.
During the robbery, the attackers looted an undisclosed amount of money, leaving a scar on the local community that is yet to heal. After years of investigation, trials, and legal scrutiny, the court has now passed its sentence, offering a sense of closure to the victims’ families and the people of Offa.
Justice Salman stressed that the crimes were not only egregious but were committed with total disregard for human life. The death sentences handed down reflect the severity of the offences and the commitment to ensuring justice for those affected.
The Offa robbery remains one of the most notorious incidents in Kwara State’s history, remembered for the sheer violence and loss of life. The sentencing marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims.
