By Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri.
In a landmark judgment, a Kwara State High Court has convicted and sentenced five suspects to death by hanging for their roles in the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery.
The deadly robbery, which occurred on April 5, 2018, claimed the lives of 33 innocent people and left many others injured. The convicted suspects were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to court records, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including eyewitness testimony and forensic proof, which sealed the fate of the accused.
The presiding judge, Justice Halimah Salman delivered the verdict, stating that the severity of the sentence reflected the gravity of the crimes committed.
“This sentence serves as a deterrent to potential criminals and brings closure to the families of the victims,” the judge said. The convicted suspects, were arrested in 2018 following a massive manhunt launched by the Nigeria Police Force.
The Offa bank robbery was one of the most notorious crimes in Nigeria’s recent history, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice. With this verdict, the families of the victims and the people of Kwara State can begin to heal, knowing that justice has been served.