A 40-year-old man from Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State has been sentenced to death by hanging for robbery.
Akwa Ibom High Court in Uyo handed down the judgment to Kufre Christopher Archibong for robbing one Bassey Isaac Akpan, a 43-year-old public servant in his residence, Nung Uyo Idoro, Uyo on April 26, 2017.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Okon Okon held that the accused be “hanged by the neck until he is dead,” and prayed God to have mercy upon his soul.
The condemned robber was arraigned with one Micher Godwin Ettetuk alias Uko Onu on 19th December, 2017 for conspiracy to commit robbery punishable under Sections 6 (b) and 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Both pleaded not guilty to each of the counts even when the Police had presented an investigative report, one Army colour mask, one matchete with red cloth tied to it as well as statements of the accused as exhibits.
In his statement to the Police, Archibong admitted that he and Micher, the second accused, Ndifreke Okon George alias Boby, Anthony Archibong alias Mopol 2, one Richard alias Snop Dog, Michael Effiong alias Mopol and Itoro Joshua Akpan alias At met in “Snop Dog’s house in Mbiakpan Ikot Edim, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state on April 25, 2017 and planned for the robbery.
He said the next day- April 26, 2017 they robbed four houses in Idaha Village, Mbiakpan village and Nung Uyo Idoro Road and took away items including cash, phones, laptops, clothes in bags, cylinders and shoes.
Archibong admitted that they fired gun shots using six locally made pistols adding that he was unlucky to be arrested, while others escaped with their loots and that they were rescued from being lynched by the irate youths of Nung Uyo Idoro.
The Police Investigation Officer, Sergeant Ntuen Christopher of D Division, Itam said the accused confessed to the commission of the crime and took the Police to where he kept his locally made pistol and two cartridges on top of his house’s ceiling.
