NAN-H-24
Death-by-hanging
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Oct. 4, 2017 (NAN) Five years after stealing a laptop and a mobile phone at gunpoint, Izunna Ajaere, a 25-year-old male hairdresser, was on Wednesday sentenced to death by hanging by an Ikeja High Court.
Justice Kudirat Jose sentenced Ajaere after finding him guilty of a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
“The evidence of the prosecution witness proved that the defendant was one of the armed robbers; therefore, all the ingredients of the crime of armed robbery have been shown.
“The prosecution has proved the charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery beyond reasonable doubt.
“The defendant is hereby sentenced to death for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and sentenced to death for armed robbery.
“He is to be hanged by the neck till he is dead, may the Lord have mercy on his soul,” the judge said.
Jose, in her judgment, noted that the evidence of Mr Uchenna Ukah, the victim of the crime, was pivotal in convicting Ajaere.
According to her, Ukah, in his testimony, was “clear and emphatic” about the series of events of the armed robbery and from his demeanour while giving evidence, the court found the complainant to be “cogent and believable”.
Immediately after the sentence was passed, while being taken away from the courtroom by prison officials, the convict cried out desperately: “My Lord, please have mercy on me.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the trial, the prosecution led by Mrs A.B. Awosika told the court that the convict committed the offences at 9.30p.m. on June 22, 2012 at No. 12, Vincent Eze, St., Ajao Estate, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the convict alongside an accomplice, had accosted Ukah at gunpoint outside his flat.
“Ukah led them to his flat where they stole a laptop, a modem and a Blackberry mobile phone.
“Ajaere and his accomplice after the robbery, locked the complainant in his apartment with the intent to also rob his neighbours.
“The complainant managed to get out of his apartment to raise an alarm leading to Ajaere and his accomplice being apprehended.
“Ukah’s laptop and modem were recovered from the duo; however, his Blackberry mobile phone was never recovered,” Awosika said.
Ajaere, while testifying in his defence during the trial, denied robbing the complainant, claiming he went to Ajao Estate for hairdressing work and was arrested by policemen during a raid.
According to the convict, he was falsely charged with conspiracy and armed robbery by officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The offences violated Sections 295(2) and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. (NAN)
MAE/FLP/DA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dele Akinsola