IKEJA – An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday sentenced three persons to 21 years imprisonment each for robbing one Mr Stephen Ameh of his mobile phone and an some cash.
Paul Sunday, 30; Adewale Taofeek, 27; and Shina Shoyeye, 24, were handed the sentences by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.
The judge said that the sentences for conspiracy and robbery would run concurrently starting from Dec. 1, 2009 when they were arraigned and remanded in prison custody.
The convicts were charged to court by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Mr Ola Oke, the state prosecutor, said the convicts conspired to commit the offence on Nov. 28, 2009 at Alagomeji Bus Stop, Yaba, Lagos, while armed with a carved wood shaped like a gun.
In his judgment, Justice Onigbanjo said the prosecution had proved its case against them beyond reasonable doubt. [eap_ad_1] “I have no doubt that there was indeed robbery on the said date. The defendants were caught with an offensive weapon; a carved wood shaped like a gun.
“The prosecution was able to establish a case of robbery. The defendants in their statements claim to be bus conductors.
“The first defendant (Sunday) pointed a wooden gun and asked the victim (Ameh) to surrender his belongings.
“A police officer also testified that the first defendant was handed over to him with the said object, “ Justice Onigbanjo said.
Before the verdict was pronounced by the judge, the defence counsel, Mr Lateef Salami, had pleaded with the court for leniency.
He said that the convicts had been in prison since 2009.
Oke had, however, objected arguing that where the law specifies sentence for an offence the court does not have any discretion.
He urged the court to find the accused guilty. (NAN)
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