An Abeokuta High Court on Thursday sentenced two vigilantes — Lambe Yinka and Friday Gbenga — to six years imprisonment with hard labour for killing two men.

Both are members of the Ogun State Vigilance Group and were tried for committing murder in the course of performing their duties.

Justice Olatokunbo Olopade said the men were found guilty of killing the duo of  Raji Morufu and Akeem Usman.

He noted that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubts by the evidence adduced.

“With all the evidence tendered in court during the trial, I found out that the two accused persons killed the deceased while they were performing their duties and they could not provide any of the robbers they claimed shot the men on their arrival at the scene.

“I do not find it as an accident or mistake and so the court found them guilty as charged;  I hereby sentenced the accused persons to six years imprisonment with hard labour,” Olopade said.

The offences contravened Sections 317 and 308 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun 2006.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convicts, who had been standing trial since April 27, 2015,  pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution said the vigilantes shot and killed the two men at about 4, 30 a,m, on July 7, 2013, at Oniyorin, off Quarry Road in Abeokuta.

The convict was said to have received a distress call from one Mrs Lawanson who live in the neighbourhood that robbers had invaded her compound.

“During investigation. the two accused persons had made confessional statements that they shot one Raji Morufu, and Akeem Usman mistakenly when one of them was trying to struggle with them.

Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr J.A. Apanishele, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.

“I urge the court to consider the fact that they did not deceive the court by saying the truth that they shot the men.” (NAN)