A Makurdi High Court on Tuesday sentenced, Jacob Atongo, a 100-level sociology student of Benue State University, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 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 had allegedly conspired with two others to rob one Stephen Akuma of his Toyota Camry, and had also robbed others at gun point on June 26, 2012.
He also allegedly attacked Judges’ Quarters, Makurdi on July 3, 2012 and robbed no fewer than 15 people.
The offences contravened the Robbery and Firearms Laws.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges and testified for himself along with one witness called by his counsel.
Prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered exhibits, which included two statements made by the convict to the police.
But counsel to the accused, Mr. E.Z. Agbakor, told the court that the accused did not make the statement tendered in court voluntarily, insisting his client was tortured and forced to confess to the offences.
