Olayiwola Mercy
The Court of Appeal in Ilorin, Kwara State, has upheld the death sentence imposed on five men convicted of the 2018 Offa bank robbery, which left 32 people dead, including nine police officers. The appellate court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, describing them as lacking merit. The five men – Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham – were convicted of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide .
The robbery, which occurred on April 5, 2018, involved coordinated attacks on five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State. The convicts were sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court in January 2026, after a six-year trial. The trial court also imposed an additional three-year jail term for illegal possession of firearms .
The Appeal Court judges, comprising Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, and Justice Abdul Dogo, agreed that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court rejected all grounds of appeal filed by the convicts and ordered their immediate return to prison custody.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Kwara State, Mohammed Akande, welcomed the judgment, stating that it reaffirmed the strength of the case against the convicts. The lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s decision as thorough and well-considered .
The convicts’ defense team, led by Abdullah Jimba, has indicated plans to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court. The defense counsel acknowledged that the ruling was expected, and preparations were underway to file a final appeal .
The Offa bank robbery was one of the deadliest in Nigeria’s history, with 32 people killed, including nine police officers. The incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The Appeal Court’s decision brings some closure to the victims’ families, but the case is not yet over. The convicts still have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, which could potentially alter their fate .
