Man to hang for stealing motorcycle

A 44-years-old man in Osun State, Rafiu Saheed, has been sentenced to death by hanging for armed robbery after stealing a motorcycle.

He was arraigned in the Court on November, 30, 2017 on two-count charges of attempted murder and armed robbery.

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Prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi, told the court that on July 30, 2012, Saheed hired a commercial motorcyclist, Olaniyi Olayinka, to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife.

While returning to Ife, Saheed took out a knife and slit the throat of the motorcyclist.

The convict took away the motorcycle, thinking the motorcyclist was dead but he survived it.

The convict was later arrested and the motorcycle was recovered from him.

Awoyemi told the court that the offence committed by Saheed was contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002 and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 respectively.

Saheed pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Julie Olorunfemi, pleaded with the court to have mercy on his client.

In her judgement, Justice Kudirat Akano, sentenced Saheed to 14 years imprisonment for attempted murder and death by hanging for armed robbery.