JUDICIARY
Court Discharges 11 Men Charged with Armed Robbery, Conspiracy
Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court in Nyanya on Tuesday discharged 11 men standing trial for alleged armed robbery and conspiracy charges preferred against them.
The defendants are Sani Mohammed, 28, Godwin Okagbue, 35, Babayaro Musa-Ayuba, 46, Emeka Okoli, 32, Chijioke Okwo, 43, and Elendu Okorie, 36.
Others are Justin Anorue, 33, Uche Chukwuma, 32, Jack Omelinuniru, 41, Chukwudi Okafor, 22, and Geoffrey Ozomabu, 30.
Ikenna Obika and Chinedu Kongoso are at large.
The police arraigned them on a seven-count charge, bordering on armed robbery and receiving stolen property.
They alleged that on Oct.
16, 2016 at about 1 a.m., the defendants conspired to commit armed robbery at NNPC filling station in Karshi, Abuja, contrary to Section 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision), 2004.The also alleged that the defendants on the same day armed with guns, classes, iron cutters and other dangerous weapons robbed and threatened one Abdullahi Arma-Yau.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Simon Lough, added that the defendants also robbed one Ishaku Saidu, Managing Director of the Karshi filling station of his generator and other valuables.
He alleged further that the generator was received by Chukwudi Okafor and Geoffrey Ozomabu around Oct. 16 to Nov. 22.
Lough said that the offences were contrary to Sections 1 (2), 5, 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) 2004, 319 (a) and 327 of the Penal Code.
All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
But, while delivering judgment on the matter, Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the charges against all the defendants.
He held that opportunities were given to the prosecution to prove their case but were not utilised in line with the doctrine of fair hearing.
“There was no evidence to link all the defendants together conspiring as alleged or any evidence to show that they were caught with arms.
“The items alleged to have been stolen were not brought to court as evidence nor any proof that stolen goods were found with anyone of the defendants.
“There is no evidence linking the defendants with the allegations levelled against them, the defendants are hereby discharged of the charges against them,” he held.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eighth defendant, Uche Chukwuma, died while the trial was going on. (NAN)
A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced a 39-year-old travel agent, Adebayo Oyeronke, to four years imprisonment over a N6.2 million visa fraud.
Oyeronke had pleaded guilty to the charges of fraud and theft.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, held that Oyeronke was guilty of defrauding Rita Francis and four others of the sum of N6.
2 million.Emmanuel who did not give the convict an option of fine, ordered him to pay N2 million each as compensation to the victims.
The magistrate also ordered him to undertake an affidavit of good conduct, pledging never to engage in any criminal or corrupt activities again.
Earlier, the prosecution Insp.
Chidi Leo told the court that the convict committed the offences between December 2024 and April 2025 at Barnawa Kaduna.Leo said that the defendant collected N6.2 million from the complainants; Rita Francis, Mohammed Sadiq, Christian Baba, Williams Abiodun and Nathan Victor, with a promise to get them Polish visa.
He said after the convict collected the money, he absconded to an unknown destination until he was arrested on May 15.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
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