Court sentences 2 young men to prison for 21 years each over conspiracy, robbery, stealing
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Two young men, Emmanuel Victor and Wisdom Ikechukwu, have been sentenced to 21 years in prison each for armed robbery of passengers at Maza Maza motor park along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.
Judge Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) convicted the men on three of the four charges (conspiracy, robbery, and stealing), filed against them by the Lagos Government.
The prosecution told the court that the robbery occurred on 8 January 2022 at about 4.30am during which the convicts, wielding machetes, ambushed three travellers waiting to board a vehicle and stole their personal items including an iPhone 7, an Infinix Hot 10, a Samsung S8, and N5,000 in cash from one of the victims, identified simply as Benjamin.
The defendants were arraigned on 21 April 2022 and the trial began on 18 November 2023. Final written submissions were concluded by both parties by early 2025.
Citing Sections 135, 297, and 299 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, Adesanya on Tuesday ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“It is trite that the guilt of an accused can be established through witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and confessional statements,” the Judge said.
One of the prosecution key witnesses, a police officer from Festac Division, testified that both defendants had been part of a syndicate known for terrorising commuters in the Maza Maza area.
During interrogation, both Victor and Ikechukwu confessed to using machetes during the robbery, admissions the Judge described as “clear and voluntary.”
The court also heard from a commercial driver who reported the attack to police shortly after it happened. His account matched those of other victims and led to a police response, culminating in the arrest of the convicts.
Recovered items, including the stolen phones and cash, were traced back to the victims and returned to them on bond after proper identification.
The Judge ruled: “Consequently, I find the two defendants guilty as charged for the offences of conspiracy and robbery. The offence carries a mandatory sentence of not less than 21 years imprisonment.”
Prior to sentencing, defence counsel Ogbosa Apata and B.C. Akunna appealed for leniency, citing the youthfulness of the convicts and their potential for reform.
Akunna, who represented Ikechukwu, told the court that his client was a first-time offender who had recently completed his secondary education when he committed the crime.
“They have paid dearly for their actions and have learned their lessons,” he peaded, urging the court to show compassion and temper justice with mercy.
But Adesanya, after weighing the submissions, sentenced both men to 21 years imprisonment each without the option of fine.
“The first and second convicts are sentenced to 21 years each for counts one, two, and four. They are discharged on count three. The sentence would commence from the date they were first remanded in custody,” she said.
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