Oni & Ors v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 12 (15 January 2025)

Oni & Ors v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 12 (15 January 2025)

The convictions for conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm were safe for all appellants except Mr Adedeji, whose conviction was quashed due to fresh evidence undermining identification. The trial judge's directions, while not perfect, did not render the convictions unsafe. The sentences for Mr Savi and Mr Okoya were manifestly excessive and reduced. There was no basis for retrials as the evidence did not support further prosecution.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 12
Parties
Appellant: Harry Oni; Appellant: Jeffrey Ojo; Appellant: Brooklyn Jitoboh; Appellant: Martin Thomas (Junior); Appellant: Ademola Roheez Mark Adedeji; Appellant: Raymond Savi; Appellant: Omolade Okoya; Respondent: Rex; Intervener: Justice
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Conviction and Sentence
Outcome
Appeals against conviction dismissed for all appellants except Mr Adedeji; Mr Adedeji's conviction quashed. Appeals against sentence allowed for Mr Savi and Mr Okoya; sentences reduced. No retrials ordered.
Legal Topics
Conspiracy, Murder, Grievous Bodily Harm, Gang Evidence, Admissibility of Evidence, Sentencing, Fresh Evidence, Directions to Jury
Criminal Law Conspiracy Murder Grievous Bodily Harm Gang Evidence Admissibility of Evidence Sentencing Fresh Evidence +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Harry Oni

Appellant

Jeffrey Ojo

Appellant

Brooklyn Jitoboh

Appellant

Martin Thomas (Junior)

Appellant

Ademola Roheez Mark Adedeji

Appellant

Raymond Savi

Appellant

Omolade Okoya

Appellant

Rex

Respondent

Justice

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Conviction and Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in the approach to the law of conspiracy
  2. 2 Whether the judge's direction on the use of guilty pleas was wrong
  3. 3 Whether the judge misdirected the jury on section 34 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act

Ratio Decidendi

The convictions for conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm were safe for all appellants except Mr Adedeji, whose conviction was quashed due to fresh evidence undermining identification. The trial judge's directions, while not perfect, did not render the convictions unsafe. The sentences for Mr Savi and Mr Okoya were manifestly excessive and reduced. There was no basis for retrials as the evidence did not support further prosecution.

Court Disposition

Appeals against conviction dismissed for all appellants except Mr Adedeji; Mr Adedeji's conviction quashed. Appeals against sentence allowed for Mr Savi and Mr Okoya; sentences reduced. No retrials ordered.

Orders

  • Conviction of Mr Adedeji quashed; no retrial ordered.
  • Sentences of Mr Savi and Mr Okoya reduced.