Admin l Thursday, July 01, 2021
LAGOS, Nigeria – A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a young man, Michael Showumi to 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery. Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo found Showumi guilty of the offence.
The state prosecution team led by Dr. Babajide Martins had arraigned him on two count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery in 2011. He pleaded not guilty. During trial, the victim testified as well as the investigative police officer.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lawal-Akapo held that the state did not prove the offence of armed robbery against the convict beyond reasonable doubt. But has to rely on the testimony of the witness, who also recognized the convict and others at large. He therefore sentenced Michael Showumi to 21 years imprisonment on count of conspiracy. The judge ordered the sentence to start from September 26, 2011 when he was remanded.
Earlier before the sentenced, defendant counsel, Mr Yemi Omodele in his alocutus, pleaded for mercy, he noted that the convict is a first time offender, asked the court to temper justice with mercy.
