The Federal High Court in Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has sentenced one Obinna Echianu to death by hanging for killing an Uber driver identified as Edwin Ali in Abuja on December 26, 2016.
However, The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, discharged and acquitted Echanu’s co-accused, Everly Nnorom, 27, for lack of evidence.
Delivering judgment on Thursday,Justice Kekemeke convicted 42-year-old Echianu for armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The police had arraigned the two men before the court on five counts of conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and culpable homicide against the two men.
However, convicting Echianu of the offences on Thursday, the judge held that the police substantiated counts of armed robbery and culpable homicide against him beyond reasonable doubt against him.
“The first defendant is therefore sentenced to death by hanging on each of the counts,” Justice Kekemeke held.
The police had alleged that Echianu and Nnorom, who was acquitted on Thursday, conspired to rob the deceased Edward Ali beside Goza pedestrian bridge, Airport Road, Abuja, at about 7pm on December 16, 2016.
The prosecution alleged that the two men allegedly armed with a revolver pistol and 33 live ammunition shot and killed Ali.
But while the court believed Nnorom’s defence ending in his acquittal, it dismissed Echianu’s defence and was convicted and sentenced to death on Thursday.