A Brass High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Friday convicted two persons and sentenced them to five years imprisonment each for conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

The convicted persons are Believe Leisure, 36, and Jacob Doukumo, 42 in the suit numbered BYHC/BHC/CR/1/2023. The verdict, however, raised eyebrows as one of the convicts, Believe Leisure, has since died in prison custody – as confirmed by the prosecution.

According to prosecution, Jacob Doukumo and the late Believe Leisure were arrested by the men of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command on the Dec. 24, 2022 along Sangana creek in Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa.

According to the Police Counsel, Stella Jerry-Friday, the convicts were arrested on the charge of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery which is an offence punishable under section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act. CAP. R11, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That Believe Leisure, Jacob Doukumo and three others at large on the 24^th day of December 2022 at about 6:00hours at Sangana Akassa in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State while armed with a one single barrel gun and two machetes, attacked one Johnbull Newyear and one Jackson surname yet unknown and robbed them of 30 horsepower Suzuki outboard engine valued at N600,000 only,” she said.

The prosecution counsel had also informed the court that after diligent investigation by the Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo, Believe Leisure and Jacob Doukumo were arrested and later remanded in custody.

The prosecution said that while Jacob Doukumo was present in court for sentencing, Believe Leisure died in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Okaka, Yenagoa while awaiting trial.

The Presiding Judge, Justice T.Y Abasi, found the accused guilty on the three counts and sentenced them to five years imprisonment.

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