Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentences for Murder and Armed Robbery Convicts

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered a verdict affirming the death sentences of two individuals convicted of murder and armed robbery. Suleiman Olawale Arogundare was found guilty of killing his father in 1990, while Aminu Tanko was convicted of conspiracy and armed robbery. The court upheld the death sentences after dismissing the appeals filed by the accused persons, with the judges commending the counsel for his industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Suleiman Olawale Arogundare was convicted of murdering his father in 1990 and sentenced to death, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
• Aminu Tanko was convicted of conspiracy and armed robbery and sentenced to death, which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
• The court found that Arogundare made a voluntary confession to a police officer, Ajuji Yola, describing the crime in detail.
• The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by Arogundare's counsel, Mr. Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, after finding that the evidence against the accused persons was proper.
• The court also held that it is not within its power to reduce a sentence when the law specifically prescribes it.
• The Niger State governor was directed to determine the mode of execution of the convicts.

Statistics:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the death sentences of 2 individuals (Suleiman Olawale Arogundare and Aminu Tanko).
• Suleiman Olawale Arogundare was convicted of murder in 1990.
• Aminu Tanko was convicted of conspiracy and armed robbery in 2005.
• The court considered the evidence of 5 prosecution witnesses, including Ajuji Yola, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Sources:

• Daily Trust/AllAfrica Global Media via COMTEX
• Sunday Ejike Benjamin, February 9, 2009
• Copyright Daily Trust. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).