Ilasa-Ekiti robbery: Ex-bank manager, four others arraigned

First Bank Ilasa-Ekiti Robbery: A former bank manager, Ayokunle Asaba (36), and four others were yesterday arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate’s Court for allegedly robbing a first generation bank in Ilasa-Ekiti on May 24, last year.

The others are Dele Ajayi (29), Banji Adedayo (37), Tajudeen Salawu (22) and Akeem Ahmed (36).

It was learnt that Ahmed, a former police corporal, served at Aramoko Division before he was dismissed for undisclosed reasons.

On May 24, last year, robbers attacked Ilasa Police Station and a bank.

They killed two policemen who were guarding the bank -a sergeant and a constable- and stole N7,833,000.

At the police station, they stole four AK 47 rifles, one Berretta pistol, one smoke gun with 10 catridges, 10 hand grenades, one handcuff and 1,295 live amunition.

The suspects were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on armed robbery.

Although their charges were read, no plea was taken from the accused as the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Police prosecutor Enabulele Curtis said he had forwarded a copy of the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice and prayed for an adjournment.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Funke Ajibade, remanded the accused in prison custody, pending the receipt of the legal advice .

She adjourned the case till April 10.

—UPDATE—

The former bank manager (Ayokunle Asaba) alleged to be involved in a bank robbery in Ilasa-Ekiti on May 24, 2012, have reacted to the allegations published by The Nation and curated on NigeriaTrends.com.

Read his statements below:

“The news sent in respect of the robbery report made about me, all is total false.If you Google my name Ayokunle Asaba.The false reports comes out. I will appreciate if your email is sent so that I can forward the court ruling to you on the news.” – Ayokunle Asaba

“To butress my point,I was the branch service manager of First bank Ilasa ekiti.On the day of the robbery we heard that people are running out of Wema bank ayedun,immediately we told the customers to leave the premises as this is not the first we are hearing the news.As we were rounding off the robbers attacked the branch even before then a customer called me named Emeka that sells provisions and other domestic materials that he was already outside that I should help him to keep about 1.4 m collected the money put it in the vault.Robbers were already in the compound because there many trees in the compound,The compound is about 4 to 5 plots of land.I kept the money for Emeka becuase it was not counted and posted, I had to sell my shares to pay for the money becuase Emeka was disturbing while I was detained,That day inspector Alabi aka scorpion said if there is any robbery the first suspect is the branch manager.I then told him I am from a displine home that I attended command secondary school.He then slapped me and replied that I was telling him I attended command.He said I will not be vindicated from this.I was charged to court.The bank got a Lawyer.My family also got a lawyer which means I had 2 lawyers in my support.I won the case.The court said I have no case to answer.Since I was born I have been having relationship with God.In the university days at University of ilorin I was as technical officer of Rhema Chapel campus fellowship, During my service year at agbara Ogun state I was assistant coordinator Nigeria christian fellowship.I have been an usher in redeemed christian church of Gid.It is implicating and embarrassing accusing me robbers.The people that were mentioned as robbers with my name said they don’t know me.The people said they snatched a car scorpion now mentioned them as bank robbers.In sincerity to God I don’t know them.I am still with first bank.The nation will beg you for hrist sake to remove the headline and the storu for internet becuase it is a false story about me.Thank you” – Ayokunle Asaba