Tobias Sylvester
Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a self-confessed member of the Boko Haram, Abdulsalam Adinoyi, to death by hanging for killing a police sergeant, Gana Jiya, at a checkpoint in Oye Ekiti.
Adinoyi, an indigene of Okene in Kogi State, was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
In the charge, Adinoyi had between December 22, 2016, and March 20, 2017, while armed with a gun, attacked and robbed Gana Jiya, a police sergeant, and other police officers at a checkpoint in Oye Ekiti.
While Jiya was killed on the spot, other police officers on duty sustained gunshot wounds.
He was also accused of carting away two AK-47 rifles and launching a “terrorist attack” on the people of Ekiti state and its environs.
In his confessional statement, Adinoyi said members of his group named Abu Uwais and Aminu (a.k.a. Idi-Amin), now at large, were planning an operation when police officers came to his house, which was searched and the AK-47 rifle was recovered, among other items.
Five witnesses, including police officers who were at the scene of the incident, were called by the prosecution during the trial.
Several exhibits were tendered including an AK-47 rifle, statement of the defendant, photographs of the victims, compact discs containing Boko Haram training activities, five SIM cards, flash drives, empty bullet shells, medical reports, among others.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Lekan Ogunmoye, the presiding judge, said the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The sole issues for determination are accordingly resolved in favour of the prosecution,” the judge said.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty as charged. He is accordingly sentenced to death by hanging on counts one, two and three. May almighty God have mercy on his soul.
“He is also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on count four, and 10 years imprisonment on count five with N10,000 as an option of fine.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Boko Haram had released a video showing the execution of a soldier and a police officer who were abducted while travelling to Borno State.
