Four men were detained on suspicion of armed robbery and dragged to court a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Friday, June 20.
A 26-year-old man, Genty Azeez, was sentenced to death while another 29-old-man, David Adeniji, was given 20 years imprisonment for armed robbery and rape.
The incident occurred about the midnight of November 1, 2011 when the group of four broke into the home of Alhaji Lawal in Onoja Estate, Epe, Lagos State. The robbers came with two cutlasses with an intention to obtain money from the sale of the сar they claimed the family had sold the week before.
When the information about the car sale was not confirmed, the malefactors attacked their victims and raped one of the daughters. After stealing jewelry, phones and other valuables they fled away. Later it was discovered that one of the offenders, Adeniji, lived in the same neighbourhood with the Lawals.
On the next day he was identified by one of the sisters, apprehended by his elder brother and handed over to the police. The identification was possible as during the attack Adeniji did not hide his face and was wearing the same clothes he wore in everyday life.
While being interrogated about their whereabouts at the time of the incident Adeniji and Azeezs claimed they were with their families. But none of the family members appeared in court to confirm their claims.
All the members of the group were pronounced guilty of conspiracy to commit and commission of armed robbery and rape. The offences violated sections 297, 295(2)a and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Adeniji and Lawal were both sentenced to death. However, the court reviewed its judgement, and sentenced Adeniji to a 20-year jail term on the grounds that his parents were aged.
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