Fake soldier, policeman bag death sentence for armed robbery

A fake soldier, Innocent Victor and a serving police officer, David Friday attached to Olofin Police Station, Idanre, in Ondo State have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ondo State High Court in Akure for their involvement in armed robbery.

Penpushing reports that the accused persons were earlier arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating members of the armed forces.

The prosecution witness, Akinmodun Akinleye, told the court that while returning from his farm along Ibepo in Idanre on January 15, 2021, at about 1 a.m., he was stopped at Ojalade Junction by two men—one wearing a black police T-shirt and the other in full military camouflage.

Penpushing further reports that Akinleye said both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him, adding that the men ransacked his vehicle, took N6,000 from him, and instructed him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he did, stating that he later discovered that his Itel phone, valued at N8,500, was also missing.

The court was equally informed by another prosecution witness, Olowogbadegun Lanre, a security guard, that he was on night duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre that same night when he saw two men on a black TVS motorcycle one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.

Penpushing also reports that he said the men ordered him to drop his gun, but he refused, adding that shortly after, the men stopped an 18-seater bus, ordered the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and took all his money.

The prosecution witness said the men beat the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him, and thereafter offered him (Olowogbadegun) N2,000, but he declined, stating that at about 4 a.m., the driver returned to ask if he knew the two men, and he confirmed that he did.

Penpushing reports that the security guard, himself and the driver together, went to the police station to report, stating that when invited by the Divisional Police Officer, the driver identified the man who had robbed him while wearing the police uniform.

The third prosecution witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that he was returning home when he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed like a policeman.

Penpushing further reports that he said the man in camouflage demanded N10,000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, dragged him out of his bus, and began to beat him, and that the other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to assault him.

The prosecuting witness said the men forcibly took N125,000 from his pocket the proceeds of his work for the day, and after robbing him, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.

Penpushing also reports that the police prosecutor, Ilesanmi Samuel, told the court that investigations revealed David Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Olofin Police Station, Idanre.

The prosecutor who is a police inspector added that Innocent Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Owena Cantonment in Akure, adding that both accused persons confessed to the crimes.

Penpushing reports that the trial judge W.R. Olamide, in his judgement held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.

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