Man, 33, sentenced to death by hanging for armed robbery

An Abeokuta High Court, on Wednesday sentenced a 33-year-old man Ibrahim Toyin, to death by hanging for robbing a woman of her handbag at gunpoint.

Ibrahim, who was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery had pleaded not guilty to the offences.

However, delivering her judgment, Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun, said that all the evidences tendered had convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt that the convict committed the offences as charged.

She subsequently sentenced Ibrahim to death by hanging.

At the trial, the Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Magaret Sodeke, senior state counsel, had told the court that the convict committed the offences on Aug. 25, 2012, at about 10 p.m. at Power line junction, Sabo area of Sagamu.

She said that the convict and others still at large, conspired and robbed Titilayo Eniola of her hand bag containing valuables.

Sodeke explained that while the complainant was coming from her shop at around 10 p.m., the convict with others now at large stopped her and pointed a locally made pistol on her.

She explained that the convict collected and carted away with the complainant’s hand bag containing N15,000 cash, ATM card and other valuables.

The prosecution counsel said that the convict was arrested by members of the Oduduwa People’s Congress (OPC) and on his arrest, he was found with a locally made gun and two cartridges.

Sodeke, said that the offences contravened Section 6(b) and 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap Rll, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.