For snatching a lady’s handbag, telephone and other personal belongings at gun point, two men have been convicted to face hanging or firing squad, by an Anambra State High court.
The High Court sitting at Ihiala Local Government Area of the state was presided over by Justice Okey Onunkwo.
According to him, based on various submissions and evidences, there were sufficient evidence to convict the suspects.
The suspects identified as: Ikenna Obi, Anene Maduka,and Osadebe Ezeh on the 2nd February, 2017 allegedly stole a mobile phone, a handbag and N10,000 cash belonging to one Miss Chinonye Ogujiuba of Eziama Uli.
The Nokia phone was valued at N15,500, while the handbag was estimated at N2,500.
Anene Maduka, charged with the other suspects was, however, discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence while the rest were convicted.
In his submission, the defense counsel for the convicts — Calistus Ohanusi and Enright Okilie, argued that the burden of proof on criminal matters rested on the prosecution who he said did not prove that their clients robbed, or took part in robbing the victim. He maintained that there was no sufficient evidence to convict them.
The Prosecution Counsel, Charity Madukife, submitted that the burden of proof had been discharged by calling eye witnesses; adding that the defence could not fault the evidence adduced.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Okey Onunkwo, in his judgment said there was no sufficient evidence against the first defendant (Maduka).
“There was eye witness evidence against the convicts, as the victim had raised the alarm after the robbery, leading to the arrest of the culprits at Umudimogo Ihiala, after which they were handed over to the police.”
Justice Onunkwo thereby sentenced them to death by hanging or firing squad.