Two robbers whose modus operandi is to use commercial tricycles to monitor, rob users of ATM points and banking halls have been apprehended, charged to court and sentenced to death by hanging.
The convicts, who are members of a three-person gang confessed to the crime and were sentenced to death by an Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo.
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The convicts confessed that they usually meet at the Federal Secretariat, Uyo, before they proceed to monitor banks and ATM points, looking for customers withdrawing money.
However, the leader of the gang and rider of the tricycle used in the operations is said to have escaped and has not been found.
But fellow gang members, Donald John Obot, a 35-year-old barber from Nung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area; and Blessing Christopher Utah, a 36-year-old ex-convict from Ibiaku Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area were found guilty of robbing a trader, Esther Victor Akpan.
It was learnt that Akpan was robbed in December 2018 after withdrawing N110,000 from her bank on Abak Road, Uyo.
The convicts were said to have also robbed two men of N500,000 and N200,000 each, and a woman of N130,000 along IBB Avenue, Uyo.
While delivering judgement, the trial judge, Justice Okon Okon, found Donald Obot and Blessing Utah guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery.
“It is bizarre and unfortunate that armed robbers abused the public transport system and converted their tricycles to perpetrate crime, leaving their innocent victims with harrowing experiences and tales of woes,” the court said.
On the gang leader, Justice Okon said, “his days are numbered” and advised that he use his escape to mend his ways and lifestyle.
He ruled that the two defendants will die by hanging and prayed God to have mercy on their souls.
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