27-year-old sentenced to death for armed robbery in A’Ibom

Harrison Essien, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Sylvester Emmanuel Ime to death for armed robbery.

Ime, who hails from Ekit Itam in Itu Local Government Area, was sentenced by Justice Okon Okon, having been found guilty of robbing Dam Dave Company, located on Idoro Road, Uyo on 18th December 2016.

The court held that the convict, in company of five others now at large, attacked security men at the premises of Dam Dave Company, carting away two Mack trucks, worth N7 million.

Ime, in his confessional statement told the Court that he was contacted through phone call by one Nonso, from Aba in Abia State to provide him with security information about the company, which led to the success of the robbery operation.

He said they met him at Itam Junction in Uyo at about 9pm and hid in a bush at Idoro Road till 2am, when they carried out the robbery operation, after which he was given N100,000 as his share out of the one-point N5 million they sold the trucks.

While others escaped, Ime was not lucky as DSS tracked the stolen phone of one of the security men of the company, leading to the arrest of the accused person through his girlfriend, one Victoria.

Ime, who is a father of one, while giving graphic details of the robbery, listed other members of the gang to include one Eze, Auchi and Chibuzor, all from Abia State, who have not been seen till today.

In his judgment, Justice Okon Okon said he “can no longer hold his peace on the vexed trend in Akwa Ibom, where armed robbery, kidnapping, child stealing, and other crimes are masterminded with external influences.”

Justice Okon held that “most of the crimes taking place in Akwa Ibom in contemporary times were unheard of in the State, as the people of Akwa Ibom considered it an anathema to be linked with such crimes.”

The court commended the State Prosecution Counsel, Esther Etim for her industry and resourcefulness, stressing that the state has proved the case beyond reasonable doubts.

Justice Okon ordered that the accused person, Sylvester Emmanuel Ime should die by hanging.