A dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal Promise Okokon Usoro, and his accomplice, Odinaka Emmanuel Victor have been sentenced to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The judgement delivered by Justice Archibong Archibong of the Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo on Thursday found the convicts guilty of robbing tricycle operators at gunpoint in the state capital.

According to the court proceedings, Usoro, a 41-year-old indigene of Ikot Osom in Abak, was dismissed from the Nigerian Army after facing a court-martial for his involvement in armed robbery operations.

He reportedly confessed to participating in at least three armed robbery operations targeting tricyclists in Uyo, alongside an accomplice identified as JJ, who is currently at large.

The court heard that on February 10, 2013, Usoro and his accomplices robbed one Peter Daniel Okon of his tricycle along Idoro Road, Uyo. The second convict, Odinaka Emmanuel Victor, 32 years old from Osisioma in Abia State, also confessed to robbing his victim, Anyanwu Chidi Francis, along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, with an AK-47 rifle in the company of the dismissed soldier on February 14, 2013.

In his judgment, Justice Archibong held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Usoro and Victor.

The court however discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Ndifreke Udo, for lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the crime. (Daily Independent)

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