Appeal Court Affirms Death Sentence for Five Offa Bank Robbery Convicts
Appeal Court Affirms Death Sentence for Five Offa Bank Robbery Convicts
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has officially upheld the death sentences previously imposed on five men convicted for their roles in the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery.
In a sitting held on Friday, January 30, 2026, the appellate court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, ruling that their challenges lacked merit and failed to provide sufficient grounds to overturn the original verdict.
The three-member panel of judges, consisting of Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, and Justice Abdul Dogo, delivered a unanimous judgment.
They affirmed the earlier decision made by Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, which found the appellants—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran—guilty of multiple charges including culpable homicide and armed robbery.
Confirming the outcome of the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the state, Mohammed Akande, addressed journalists to explain the finality of the appellate court’s decision.
He stated, “The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, comprising Hon. Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi JCA, Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole JCA and Hon. Justice Abdul Dogo, today, Friday, affirmed the judgement of Hon. Justice H. A. Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court that sentenced the Appellants, Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun and Adeola Adeola Abraham, to death by hanging for their involvement in the Offa Bank Robbery.”
The legal battle stems from the brutal April 2018 coordinated attack on five commercial banks in Offa. The incident remains one of the deadliest robberies in Nigeria’s history, resulting in the loss of at least 32 lives. Among the victims were nine police officers, including two female officers, and numerous civilians who were caught in the crossfire during the violent operation.
Initially, six suspects were linked to the crime; however, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer and the alleged mastermind, died in police custody before the trial could commence.
The remaining five defendants underwent a trial that lasted approximately six years, during which the prosecution presented extensive evidence, including CCTV footage and witness testimonies, to establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In the original High Court judgment, Justice Saleeman noted that the convicts had shown a blatant disregard for the law. She remarked during her ruling that the individuals “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”
Consequently, they were sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide and received additional prison terms for illegal possession of firearms.
Following the dismissal of their appeal, the convicts were immediately returned to prison custody. While the defense counsel, Abdullah Jimba, indicated that preparations are being made to take the matter to the Supreme Court, legal experts noted that the unanimous affirmation by the Court of Appeal significantly reinforces the strength of the initial conviction.
