Justice Ogunmoye, in his judgment on Wednesday, said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant, thus, implying his culpability in all the charges against him.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced Abdulsalam Adinoyi, a member of the Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, popularly known as Boko Haram, to death by hanging.
Justice Ogunmoye, in his judgment on Wednesday, said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant, thus, implying his culpability in all the charges against him.
Adinoyi was charged and arraigned on five counts bothering on armed robbery, murder, terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms, contrary to sections 1 (2) (a) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap C16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The crime also contravened Sections 316 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and Sections 11 and 12 of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (Prohibition Law), 2015.
According to the charge, Adinoyi who hails from Okene in Kogi State, between 22nd of December, 2016 and 20th March, 2017 while armed with a gun, attacked and robbed Sergeant Gana Jiya and other police officers at a checkpoint in Oye Ekiti.
He murdered Sergeant Gana Jiya on the spot while other police officers on duty sustained gun wounds. He also carted away two AK-47 assaulted riffle, launched attacks on people of Ekiti State and his environs, confessed to being a member of Boko Haram and unlawfully in possession of an AK-47 assault rifle, among others.
"The sole issues for determination are accordingly resolved in favor of the prosecution. The defendant is hereby found guilty as charged. He is accordingly sentenced to death by hanging in counts 1, 2, and 3. May Almighty God have mercy on his soul. He is also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in count 4 and 10 years imprisonment in count 5 with N10,000.00 as an option of fine,” Justice Ogunmoye said.
In his confessional statement, Adinoyi said members of his group, Abu Uwais and Aminu a.k.a. Idi-Amin, now at large, were planning an operation when police officers came to his house. His house was searched and an AK-47 rifle was recovered, among other items.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Gbemiga Adaramola, called five witnesses, including police officers who were at the scene. Exhibits tendered included an AK-47 assault rifle, statement of the defendants and the victims, photographs, compact discs containing Boko Haram training, 5 SIM cards, flash drives, empty bullet shells, medical reports, among others.