The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has upheld the death sentences imposed on five men convicted for their involvement in the deadly 2018 bank robbery in Offa, Kwara State, bringing a major legal chapter in the high-profile case closer to an end.
The appellate court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the trial court acted in line with the law. The judges affirmed the earlier judgment of the Kwara State High Court, which found the men guilty of armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and related offences.
The robbery, which took place on April 5, 2018, remains one of the most violent bank attacks in Nigeria’s history. Armed robbers simultaneously attacked several commercial banks in Offa, killing dozens of people, including police officers and civilians, and injuring many others. A police station was also overrun during the operation, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed debate on insecurity.
During the original trial, the prosecution presented eyewitness testimonies, confessional statements and exhibits that linked the defendants to the coordinated attacks. The trial judge held that the evidence clearly established their roles in the crime and sentenced them to death by hanging, alongside additional jail terms for illegal possession of firearms.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal rejected arguments by the defence challenging the credibility of evidence and alleging procedural flaws. The court held that due process was followed throughout the trial and that the severity of the sentence reflected the gravity of the offences committed.
Although the convicts still have the option of approaching the Supreme Court, the appellate ruling means the death sentences remain in force for now. The judgment has been described by legal observers as a strong statement against violent crime and attacks on public safety in the country.
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