A 22-year-old man, Julius Aboy was yesterday sentenced to death for stealing N955, 600 by a Delta State High Court sitting in Warri.
The trial judge, Justice Marshal Mukoro of High Court 1, who handed down the sentence told the convict that he is to die by hanging. The convict was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, offences punishable under Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) respectively of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap. RII Volume 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In the first count, Julius Aboy and others now at large were reported to have on or about the 4th day of March, 2011 in Warri, conspired with others now at large to commit armed robbery.
In the second count, Julius Aboy and others now at large were also reported to have, on or about the 4th day of March, 2011 in Warri, robbed one Godwin Gwuene of N955, 600, while armed with a gun. The money was said to be Ususu contribution (savings), belonging to workers, serving as cleaners in a company in Warri.
The armed robbery gang, of which Aboy was allegedly a member, ran out of luck when an oncoming vehicle knocked down their getaway motorbike at the scene of the crime, leading to the arrest of the convict and killing of another member of the gang by an angry mob.
Justice Mukoro said the excuse of poverty, which the convict gave as reason of dropping out of school and venturing into crime was not tenable, as poverty was not a licence for criminality.
[SunNews]