Benue State University Student To Die By Hanging For Robbery

A Makurdi High Court on Tuesday sentenced, Jacob Atongo,
a 100-level sociology student, Benue State University, to
death by hanging for armed robbery.
In his judgment, Justice Adam Onum, held that he was
satisfied with the confession of the accused to the charges and
therefore, found him guilty.
Onum sentenced the accused to death by hanging, insisting
that the sentence prescribed under the law for the offence
must be followed.
Atongo conspired with two others and robbed Stephen
Akuma, and several others at gun point on June 26, 2012.
The convict and his accomplices robbed Akuma of his Toyota
Camry car with registration number Benue AID 39 AA and
other victims of valuables, including various sums of money.
He also attacked Judges' Quarters, Makurdi on July 3, 2012
and robbed no fewer than 15 people, dispossessing them of
various items and money at gun point.
The offences contravened the Robbery and Firearms Laws.
During the proceedings, the accused pleaded not guilty to the
charges and testified for himself along with one witness called
by his counsel.
Prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered several
exhibits, which included two statements made by the convict
to the police.
In statements, according to the prosecution, the convict
confessed to the commission of the offences.
But counsel to the accused, Mr E.Z. Agbakor, argued that the
prosecution failed to prove the case against his client beyond
all reasonable doubt.
Agbakor told the court that the accused did not make the
statement tendered in court voluntarily, insisting his client
was tortured and forced to confess to the offences.
He submitted further that several "material inconsistencies
and contradictions existed which cast reasonable doubt on the
case of the prosecution''.
The counsel pointed out that there was no identification
parade conducted on the accused, and urged the court to
discharge and acquit his client.
On her part, Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Moji Sule, submitted
that prosecution had established every charge against the
accused based on the strength of his statements.
Sule argued that there was no need for identification parade
where the accused had identified himself with the commission
of the crimes.

Via: (NAN)