A Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt has sentenced three persons to 17 years for armed robbery and murder.
Justice Ibrahim Watile, in a suit FHC/PH/10C/2016, found Charles Emeosiobi Nwaopei(28), Goodnews Kejeh(25) and Goodluck Wogbo(27) guilty of the charges preferred against them.
The certified true copy of the judgment, 47 pages in all, was issued to journalists on Saturday.
The men were found guilty for the murder of two soldiers attached to 29 Brigade, Bori Camp Port Harcourt on November 23, 2015 as well as robbing of Diamond Bank at Trans-Amadi Industrial layout where they were said to have made away with N100million before being arrested by operatives of Federal-Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) on November 19, 2015.
Justice Watila in his sentence, said: ” I have listened to the plea for mercy of the convicts and I have been guided by the provisions of the law under Sections 311, 416, 419 ACJA, 2015, the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act, I hereby sentence you for the offence of conspiracy to seven years imprisonment.
“And for the offence of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition to ten years imprisonment. The sentence will run concurrently. The sentence takes effect from November 19, 2015.”
The criminal case commenced on January 28, 2016 with two counts filed against the three men.
The judge added: “From the evidence adduced so far before the court, I am convinced that the prosecution has been able to prove the case of being in possession of firearms without lawful authority.
“It is utterly baffling to this court, from the evidence led, all the defendants are from the same Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. What a coincidence.
“There is ample evidence from the witnesses of the prosecution and the defendants themselves, linking them to the offences.
“The prosecution has proved the case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
“I hereby find you guilty as charged and convict you for the offence of conspiracy to commit felony to wit, unlawful possession of firearms, punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code 2004 and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.”
