An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado‑Ekiti has sentenced three men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery, the court announced on Tuesday.
The case was heard at the Ekiti State High Court in Ado‑Ekiti Division, where the three defendants were charged before the judge. Nigeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty by hanging as the maximum sentence for certain serious offences including armed robbery and conspiracy under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
Armed robbery remains a significant security concern in several parts of the country, prompting judicial and law enforcement actions to deter violent crime. Ekiti State courts have previously handed down similar sentences for violent offences.
The three men were convicted on charges brought against them relating to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and the actual commission of armed robbery.
The judge, whose name was not disclosed in reports, ruled that the prosecution had established the defendants’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Following conviction, the court sentenced the three convicts to death by hanging, in accordance with Nigerian law for such offences. The sentence reflects the statutory penalty for armed robbery and conspiracy when proven in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Details of the specific circumstances of the robbery, including the location, date of the offence and value of items stolen, were not made available in the court summary published on Tuesday.
The sentencing underscores Nigeria’s continued use of capital punishment for certain violent crimes under federal and state law. The death penalty by hanging is prescribed for offences such as armed robbery and conspiracy when accompanied by violence.
Judicial decisions imposing the death penalty often attract attention to broader debates on criminal justice and enforcement in Nigeria. Human rights organisations and civil society groups have in the past called for review of capital punishment provisions, though legal frameworks currently remain unchanged.
In Ekiti State and elsewhere, high‑profile sentences may have local impacts on perceptions of security and rule of law. The case adds to a series of convictions and sentences in the state for serious offences in recent years.
An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced three men to death by hanging after convicting them of conspiracy and armed robbery. The ruling reflects statutory criminal penalties in Nigeria for violent offences and ongoing judicial enforcement actions in Ekiti State.
