A Kwara State High Court, on Thursday, sentenced five persons involved in the Offa robbery incidents to death.
The court had earlier found them guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.
According to the presiding judge, Justice Haleemah Salman, the offences are punishable by death.
The robbery incident, which occurred at five banks in the Offa Local Government Area in 2018, resulted in the killing of about 32 people, including nine police officers.
The convicted persons include Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham.
The sixth suspect, who was a retired policeman, Michael Adikwu, died in custody before the trial began.
Delivering her judgement, Justice Haleemah Salman sentenced the five suspects to death after a six-year trial that attracted widespread attention.
The convicts faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery.
The judge found the accused persons guilty of robbing and killing innocent citizens and
sentenced them to death by hanging for their roles in the heinous crime.
The court also imposed a three-year prison sentence on the convicts for illegal possession of firearms, in line with Nigeria’s penal code.
Justice Salman said, “The convicts acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”
Lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed satisfaction with the verdict.
Jacobs commended the judge for her thoroughness despite the numerous distractions that prolonged the trial.
On the other hand, defence counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba, who represented Mr. Mathias Emeribe, acknowledged that the judgment was expected.
He noted that his principal was already compiling the necessary documents for an appeal.
