Justice Delivered After Six-Year Legal Battle
In a historic ruling, Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court sentenced five suspects involved in the notorious Offa robbery to death by hanging. The suspects were found guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide, following a meticulous review of the evidence submitted by the prosecution. The judgment, which took three and a half hours to deliver, marked a major step towards justice for the victims of the horrific crime.
The Offa robbery, which occurred six years ago, is remembered as one of the deadliest in Nigeria’s history. The attackers targeted five banks in Offa, Kwara State, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Nine police officers and more than twenty civilians lost their lives in the brutal heist. The case encountered multiple delays over the years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and national obligations for the presiding judge, prolonging the path to justice.
On the day of the final judgment, the courtroom was filled to capacity with lawyers, journalists, and members of the public, all eager to witness the fate of the accused. The five suspects, who had consistently maintained their innocence, were eventually convicted of both armed robbery and culpable homicide. Justice Salman sentenced them to death by hanging, bringing closure to a case that had gripped the nation for years.
In addition to the death sentence, the court also imposed a three-year prison sentence on the suspects for unlawful possession of firearms. This secondary ruling highlighted the severity of the crimes committed during the Offa robbery and underscored the need for accountability in such grave offenses.
Following the judgment, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs praised the court’s decision, stating that it accurately reflected the gravity of the case. However, defense counsel Zakariyyah Jimba announced that they would appeal the ruling, setting the stage for potential further legal battles. The conclusion of this long legal process has brought a sense of relief to the victims’ families, though the defense’s intent to appeal could prolong the final resolution.
