A Makurdi High Court on Tuesday sentenced
Jacob Atongo, a 100-Level Sociology student of
the Benue State University, to death by hanging
for armed robbery.
In his judgment, Justice Adam Onum held that
he was satisfied with the confession of the
accused to the charges and therefore, found
him guilty.
Onum sentenced the accused to death by
hanging, insisting that the sentence prescribed
under the law for the offence must be followed.
Atongo allegedly conspired with two others and
robbed Stephen Akuma, and several others at
gunpoint on June 26, 2012.
The convict and his accomplices robbed Akuma
of his Toyota Camry car with number plate
Benue AID 39 AA, and other victims of
valuables, including various sums of money.
He also attacked Judges’ Quarters, Makurdi on
July 3, 2012 and robbed no fewer than 15
people, dispossessing them of various items and
money at gunpoint.
The offences contravened the Robbery and
Firearms Laws.
During the proceedings, the accused pleaded
not guilty to the charges and testified for
himself along with one witness called by his
counsel.
Prosecution called seven witnesses and
tendered several exhibits, which included two
statements made by the convict to the police.
In statements, according to the prosecution, the
convict confessed to the commission of the
offences.
But counsel for the accused, Mr E.Z. Agbakor,
argued that the prosecution failed to prove the
case against his client beyond all reasonable
doubt.

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