Court sentences three to death for armed robbery in Kebbi
SKAiF NewsNG SNN
A Kebbi State High Court, sitting in Birnin Kebbi, has sentenced three men to death for armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.
The convicts, Abdul Mohammed, Surajo Umar, and Aliyu Abdullahi, were found guilty by Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwa after standing trial on a nine-count charge bordering on armed robbery and conspiracy.
They were arraigned on November 17, 2023, under sections 1(2)(a) and 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004, as well as Section 304 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The prosecution, led by Barrister Farida Muhammad, a Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice, called eight witnesses, including victims Hamza Dandare, a retired banker; Aminu Garba Dandiga, a former commissioner; and Aisha Sahabi Tamba.
The court admitted several exhibits tendered by the prosecution, including a cutlass, rubber shoe, plasma television, N2.85 million in cash, a black cap, and the defendants’ confessional statements written in both Hausa and English.
In his judgment, Justice Kuwa held that the testimonies of key prosecution witnesses were credible, consistent, and unchallenged by the defence.
“The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were corroborated and not contradicted by the defendants,” the judge said.
The court noted that the defendants did not call any witnesses or present exhibits in their defence, relying only on oral denial of the charges.
Justice Kuwa ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly found the defendants guilty as charged.
They were thereafter sentenced to death.
Counsel to the defendants, Barrister C.C. Ojun, pleaded for leniency, urging the court to consider previous judgments where death sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.
However, the judge said the law prescribed a mandatory death sentence, adding that any plea for mercy could only be considered by the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, who has the constitutional power to grant clemency.
