The police in Lagos on Thursday re-arraigned a gas dealer, Samuel Godwin, who allegedly robbed a vehicle and other items worth N1. 2 million.Godwin appeared before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, alongside two of his customers, Joseph Omotito and Dada Kayode.
They are standing trial on a two-count amended charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.Prosecution counsel, Mrs Oladoke Shomibare-Amachree, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Sept. 19, 2016, at 4.30 a.m. on Okenula Road by Action Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos.
The counsel told the court that the trio conspired with others at large and robbed one Oduala Azeez of 1998 model Honda Accord worth N800, 000.
She said that the other items included a Tecno phone worth N80,000, watch worth N45,000, wedding ring worth N90,000, gold jewellery worth N200,000 and an Automated Teller Machine card, all valued at N1.2 million.
According to her, the alleged offences contravene Sections 297 (a) and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defendants had been on trial since they were first arraigned sometime in 2017. NAN reports that prosecution had called witnesses and closed its case. However, after the plea of the defendants were taken at their re-arraignment on Thursday, prosecution cross-examined the second defendant, Dada Kayode, who had opened his defence in December 2021.
After the cross-examination, the third defendant, Samuel Godwin, opened his defence and narrated how he was arrested by the police, three months after the alleged robbery happened. Godwin said the other two defendants were his customers who patronised his gas business. He also said that the complainant was a landlord at his business area.He denied committing the alleged offences, testifying that it was the landlord who told him about the alleged robbery as he was not around when it happened. Godwin was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr C. O. Achonye.
He was cross-examined by prosecution. After Godwin’s evidence, defence said it did not have anymore witnesses, and closed its case. Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile adjourned the case until March 17 for adoption of written addresses.
