By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced one Michael Showumi to 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo found Showunmi guilty of the offence filed against him by the state government.
The state prosecution team led by Dr. Babajide Martins had arraigned Showunmi on two count charge of conspiracy and Armed robbery in 2011.
He pleaded not guilty and the trial commenced. During trial, the victim testified as well as the Investigative Police Officer (IPO).
However, while delivering judgement, Justice Lawal-Akapo held that the prosecution failed to prove the offence of armed robbery against the convict.
The court upheld the testimony of the witness, who was also the victim that recognised the convict and others at large. The judge therefore sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment on offence of conspiracy. The judge also ordered that the sentence should start from September 26, 2011 when he was remanded.
Earlier before the sentence, defendant counsel, Mr Yemi Omodele in his alocutus, pleaded for mercy, noting that the convict is a first-time offender. He then asked the court to temper justice with mercy.