A Makurdi High Court on Tuesday [Nov. 26] sentenced,
Jacob Atongo, a 100-level sociology student of Benue
State University, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The News Agency of Nigeri, NAN, reports that Justice
Adam Onum held that he was satisfied with the
confession of the accused to the charges and therefore
found him guilty.
Onum sentenced the accused to death by hanging,
insisting that the sentence prescribed under the law for
the offence must be followed.
Atongo had allegedly conspired with two others to rob
one Stephen Akuma of his Toyota Camry, and had also
robbed others at gun point on June 26, 2012. He also
allegedly attacked Judges’ Quarters, Makurdi on July 3,
2012 and robbed no fewer than 15 people.
The offences contravened the Robbery and Firearms
Laws.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges and
testified for himself along with one witness called by his
counsel.
Prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered
exhibits, which included two statements made by the
convict to the police.
But counsel to the accused, Mr. E.Z. Agbakor, told the
court that the accused did not make the statement
tendered in court voluntarily, insisting his client was
tortured and forced to confess to the offences.
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