Ondo Court Sentences Policeman And Fake Soldier To D3ath

An Ondo State High Court in Akure has condemned two individuals, David Friday and Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery.

The duo faced a four-count charge related to conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating members of the armed forces or police.

These offenses violated Section 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; Section 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; and Section 109 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

A prosecution witness, Akinmodun Akinleye, informed the court that on January 15, 2021, at around 1 a.m., while returning from his farm along Ibepo in Idanre, he was intercepted at Ojalade Junction by two men—one dressed in a black police T-shirt and the other in full military camouflage. He stated that both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him.

Akinleye recounted that the men searched his vehicle, took ₦6,000 from him, and ordered him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he complied with. He later realized that his Itel phone, worth ₦8,500, was also missing.

Another witness, Olowogbadegun Lanre, a security guard, testified that on the same night, while on duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre, he observed two men on a black TVS motorcycle—one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.

He stated that they commanded him to drop his gun, which he refused. Soon after, the men halted an 18-seater bus, forced the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and stole all his money.

Olowogbadegun added that the men assaulted the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him. They offered Olowogbadegun N2,000, which he rejected. At around 4 a.m., the driver returned to inquire if he knew the men, and he confirmed he did. Together, they reported the incident to the police station. When summoned by the Divisional Police Officer, the driver identified the man who robbed him while wearing the police uniform.

The third witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that while returning home, he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed as a policeman. He said the man in camouflage demanded N10,000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, pulled him out of his bus, and began beating him. The other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to attack him.

Adeyeye stated that they forcibly took N125,000 from his pocket, which was his earnings for the day. After the robbery, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.

Inspector Ilesanmi Samuel, the police prosecutor, informed the court that investigations revealed David Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force at Olofin Police Station, Idanre, while Innocent Victor’s claim of being a soldier was disproved by the Owena Cantonment in Akure. Both men, he said, confessed to the crimes.

In his ruling, Justice W.R. Olamide declared that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli