Man to die by hanging for robbery

Ekemini Otuakak Edet, a 21-year-old man, has been sentenced to death by hanging for robbing a pharmacy.

Edet, an indigene of Oruko, Orueffong Oruko Local Government Area of the state admitted to taking part in the robbery of MI AMAN Pharmacy, located in Uyo in March 2020.

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Justice Okon Okon of Uyo High Court, while delivering judgment, ordered that Edet be hanged by the neck until he is dead, after finding him guilty of armed robbery.

He stated that the crime was punishable by death under section 1 (2a) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

The judge held that the prosecution has “satisfactorily discharged the burden of proving the guilt of the accused in the commission of the crime.”

He said, “A confessional statement of the accused especially where admitted without objection is equivalent to and has the effect of a guilty plea.”

Justice Okon described the confessional statement as the best evidence, saying it was better than eyewitness account.

He stressed that such a confessional statement can be relied on solely to convict the accused.

“I therefore find the accused guilty and accordingly convict him. The sentence of this court is that you, Ekemini Otuakak Edet, be hanged by the neck until you are dead,” he said.