The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Nyanya Abuja, has on Thursday convicted a 42-year-old man, identified as Obinna Echianu, of armed robbery and culpable homicide, and also sentenced him to death by hanging.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, who convicted Echianu for killing an Uber driver by name, Edwin Ali, in Abuja on December 26, 2016, discharged and acquitted the co-accused, Everly Nnorom, 27, over lack of evidence.
According to the prosecution, Echianu and Nnorom, who was acquitted, conspired to rob the deceased Edward Ali beside Goza pedestrian bridge, Airport Road, Abuja, at about 7pm on December 16, 2016.
The prosecution also alleged that the two men were heavily armed with a revolver pistol and 33 live ammunition shot and killed the deceased.
The convict was charged with five counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and culpable homicide alongside the co-accused.
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The judge in his judgement, however, held that the prosecution only proved counts of armed robbery and culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt against Echianu and also held that “the first defendant is therefore sentenced to death by hanging on each of the counts”.