An Ikeja High Court has sentenced two members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to death by hanging for armed robbery.
Justice Onyindamola Ogala sentenced Azonta Amarachukwu and Ajayi Adebayo to death following their conviction on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery brought against them by the state.
Justice Ogala held that the prosecutor had proved the case of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery against the convicts.
“The defendants are NSCDC officials, who embarked on an illegal midnight operation on the 30th of January, 2018 into the early hours of the 31st of January, 2018.
“At about 2 am, whilst armed with gun and other offensive weapons, did highjack Iveco Container Trucks with Registration No. LSR 746 XD containing 1,700 cartons of Chelsea and Action Bitter drinks value estimated at N2.7 million, waybill, mobile phones and cash.
“The judge also noted that the 1st defendant was caught in the Mazda car which was used to double cross the eyeglass truck, while the 2nd defendant was handed over to the police by the officers of NCSDC,” she said.
“The truck was later abandoned with other stolen belongings at Yaya Abatan Junction and later recovered.
“I convict defendants based on the eyewitness account and other circumstantial evidence which were highlighted in the case by the prosecution.
“It was inconsequential that the vehicle and other belongings stolen were abandoned and recovered later, as the crime was complete at the point of the hijack.
“The defendants are hereby found guilty as charged and sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Ogala said.
Earlier during the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses including the victim, the owner of the truck and the IPO to establish the offence committed by convicts.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martians, said “the decision to prosecute the defendants is vindicated by the court judgment.
“Members of the public should see law enforcement officers as succour in public and not as threat to their public safety,” he said.
