Court sentences 5 men to death for armed robbery, conspiracy

A High Court sitting in Minna has sentenced five men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Adishetu, who ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the court, the defendants were involved in a coordinated armed robbery operation, during which they committed offences that violated existing criminal laws.

The convicts, Mikisal Ibrahim, Abubakar Ibrahim, Anthony Ibrahim, Aliyu Mohammed and Murtala Junaidu — are all residents of Minna, Niger State.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and causing grievous hurt under provisions of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act and the Penal Code Laws of Niger State.

According to the prosecution led by Mohammed Kutigi of the Niger State Ministry of Justice, the convicts invaded the residence of Abdulkareem Abdullahi in the Talakawa Pharmacy area of Tunga, Minna, on July 9, 2023, at about 2:15 a.m.

They were said to have been armed with cutlasses, machetes and other dangerous weapons and carted away cash and valuables worth about ₦250,000.

Four witnesses, including Investigative Police Officers from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, testified during the trial, alongside statements from the victim’s daughters.

Delivering judgment after over two hours of proceedings, Justice Adishetu held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient to secure conviction.

“Having resolved the issues against the defendants, they are hereby sentenced to death by hanging until they are confirmed dead,” the judge ruled.