A High Court sitting in Neni, Anambra State, presided over by Justice G.C Anulude, has sentenced one Nonso Anunuobi to life imprisonment for his involvement in a case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
The defendant, was charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder contrary to Criminal Code Act and the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, alongside other relevant legislation.
The verdict, delivered by the judge of the Anambra State High Court 1, followed a painstaking trial process that lasted several years, during which damning evidence was presented against the convict.
According to details of the case (Charge No. NN/5C/2019), as obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the defendant, alongside his gang members, waylaid their victim, one Aloysius Obidinma, at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while he was returning to Onitsha from his hometown.
It was gathered that the unsuspecting victim was ambushed, brutally assaulted, shot, and dragged into the criminals’ vehicle.
The hoodlums, it was further revealed, dispossessed the victim of his car, laptop, phones, and other personal effects, before demanding ransom from his family as a condition for his release.
Their dastardly acts, were however exposed when law enforcement officers, swung into action, tracked one of the stolen devices which eventually led them to apprehend the culprits.
The Prosecution, led by the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, provided substantial evidence linking the culprit to the heinous crime, and reminded the court that “under the law, a conviction for armed robbery ordinarily attracts a death sentence”.
The defense counsel, however, passionately pleaded for leniency on behalf of the accused.
However, in his judgment, Justice Anulude, after careful consideration of the final addresses and the weight of evidence before the court, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The judge noted, “While the law stipulates death for armed robbery, the peculiar circumstances and the plea for mercy influenced the decision of the court.
“The court finds the accused guilty as charged and the cruelty of the acts committed cannot be glossed over.
“This judgment will serve as a strong deterrent to other criminally-minded elements who may wish to terrorise law-abiding citizens in the society.”
Reacting, the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, while expressing satisfaction with the ruling, reiterated the need for continuous collaboration among the police, the judiciary, and the public to sustain the gains made in the fight against violent crimes in the state.
