
In a landmark judgment that has reverberated throughout Nigeria, Justice Haleema Saliman of the Kwara State High Court has sentenced five men to death by hanging for their involvement in the 2018 Offa bank robbery,
The robbery, which claimed the lives of over 30 people, including nine police officers, is remembered as one of the most brutal and shocking events in Nigeria’s recent history.

Justice Saliman’s words, “The five of you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may the Lord have mercy on your souls,” encapsulated the gravity of the crime and the weight of the punishment. After a six-year trial, the court found the five accused—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham—guilty of culpable homicide and armed robbery. The courtroom was somber as the long-awaited verdict was read out, bringing some measure of closure to the victims’ families and the wider public.
The Offa bank robbery, which took place in April 2018, not only shocked the nation but also drew international attention for its sheer brutality. Armed robbers targeted several banks in Offa, Kwara State, killing civilians and police officers in a bloody rampage. The incident led to widespread outrage and calls for swift justice, as the loss of life was unparalleled in recent memory. The trial of the suspects began soon after the incident, but it was protracted, with numerous delays and complications, including the death of the principal suspect, Michael Adikwu, a former police officer, while in custody.
Justice Saliman’s judgment, which lasted nearly three hours, was the culmination of years of legal proceedings and investigations. Her decision to impose the death penalty on all five defendants underscored the seriousness of the crimes. Beyond the armed robbery and mass killings, the court also convicted the men for unlawful possession of firearms, although the sentence for this charge was reduced from ten years to three years imprisonment.
In her remarks, Justice Saliman expressed deep regret over the tragic turn of events, reflecting on the wasted potential of the five men standing before her. “It is unfortunate that we are witnessing these five able-bodied men who had all the opportunities to better their lots by living decently,” she said. Her words served as a sobering reminder of the human cost of crime—not only for the victims but also for those who choose a path of violence and lawlessness.
While the death sentence is often a controversial punishment, in this case, it reflects the magnitude of the crime and the demand for justice from the public. The deaths of the police officers and civilians who perished in the Offa robbery were a tragic loss for their families and the community, and the judge’s decision may provide some solace that those responsible have been held accountable.