Court Sentences Three to Death by Hanging in Ilorin Armed Robbery Case

…Judge reportedly sheds tears before pronouncing verdict

In a dramatic courtroom scene in Ilorin, Kwara State, Justice M. O. Folorunso of the State High Court has sentenced three men to death by hanging for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

The convicts were found guilty of robbing a victim of an Infinix Note 11 smartphone at gunpoint in the Oko Erin area of Ilorin on March 2, 2024, around 6 a.m.

Delivering judgment, Justice Folorunso reportedly wept before declaring, “The three of you be hanged by the neck until you die,” marking an emotional end to a high-profile case that had gripped the state.

The prosecution presented evidence showing that the men had attacked their victim while armed, an act the court described as “callous and deserving of the maximum punishment.”

The judge noted that the testimonies and exhibits tendered were convincing and left no reasonable doubt about their guilt.

However, the court also tried two women — Aisha Haruna and Rabi Umar — on charges of unlawful possession of firearms, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.

They were arrested on June 25, 2025, in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area, after security operatives allegedly found an AK-47 rifle and 31 live rounds of ammunition in their vehicle.

Justice Folorunso, after reviewing the evidence, ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against the women beyond reasonable doubt.

He cited inconsistencies in witness testimonies and inadequate identification of the firearm in question. Consequently, both women were discharged and acquitted.

In a rare humanitarian gesture, the judge directed that transportation allowances be provided for the defense lawyers to return to their respective homes in Kaduna and Kanmbi (in Moro Local Government Area).

The sentencing has sparked public discussion in Ilorin, with legal observers praising the court’s balance between justice and compassion.