By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Kebbi state High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has condemned three men to death for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
They are Abdul Mohammed (a.k.a. Audu Dukku), Surajo Umar (a.k.a. Liman), and Aliyu Abdullahi. 
The condemned persons were arraigned on November 17, 2023, and stood trial on a nine-count charge of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy, punishable under Sections 1(2)(a), 60(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act 2004, and Section 304 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Kebbi State Ministry of Justice, Barr Farida Muhammad, led the prosecution team and presented eight witnesses, including the victims, Hamza Dandare, a retired banker, Hon. Aminu Garba Dandiga, a former commissioner, and Aisha Sahabi Tamba.
The court admitted exhibits, including a cutlass, rubber shoe, Plasma TV, N2,850,000.00, a black cap as well as the defendants’ confessional statements in Hausa and English.
The trial Judge, Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwa in his ruling, said: “The testimonies of Prosecution Witnesses 1, 3, 6, and 8 are good, credible, and corroborated; they are not contradicted or challenged by the defence.”
PW 1, Hamza Dandare, identified the first convict, Abdul Mohammed, aka, Audu Dukku, as one of the robbers who attacked him at his residence opposite Mopol Barracks, Badariya area, Birnin Kebbi, and stole cash, mobile phones, dollar currency, and other valuables.
The court said the defendants did not call or present any defence witness or witnesses or exhibits, but stood to defend themselves in court.
At their arraignment, all the three defendants pleaded not guilty and denied all the charges made against them.
The court was convinced that the prosecution discharged its duty in proving all the ingredients required to prove the offences of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.
It found the defendants guilty of committing armed robbery and criminal conspiracy as charged, and convicted them accordingly.
The Judge pronounced the verdict of death sentence on the three men for committing the offences of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy, which were proven beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution.
The defence counsel, C.C Ojun, pleaded for leniency after his clients were found guilty and convicted as charged, citing previous judgments that reduced sentences from death to life imprisonment or prison terms.
The court ruled that it was bound by law to pass the mandatory sentence, but would only write to the Governor of Kebbi state who is conferred with the powers to consider such a plea.
