Justice Kudirat Jose of an Ikeja High Court on Wednesday sentenced to death Izunna Ajaere, a 25-year-old male hairdresser for stealing a laptop and a mobile phone at gunpoint. Ajaere was found guilty based on the two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery and was sentenced to death by hanging. The judge in her judgment, noted that the evidence of the victim of the crime, Mr Uchenna Ukah, was overwhelming and pivotal in convicting Ajaere. “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 has 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. The prosecution led by Mrs A.B Awosika had told the court during trial 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.
However, while testifying in his defence during the trial, Ajaere denied robbing the complainant, he claimed he went to Ajao Estate for hairdressing work and was arrested by policemen during a raid. The convict claimed that he was falsely charged with conspiracy and armed robbery by officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The offences violate Sections 295(2) and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
NAN
