An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday sentenced 27-year-old Alex Peter to life imprisonment for armed robbery.
Peter, who was arraigned on December 29, 2022, faced two counts: conspiracy and armed robbery. He was also handed a nine-year sentence for conspiracy.
The charges stated that on May 16, 2022, at Ado Ekiti, Peter and others conspired to rob Augustine Steven, stealing his red Bajaj motorcycle (registration number AMK 569 UJ) and N15,000 in cash. During the robbery, Peter was armed with a cutlass and an axe, violating Sections 314 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
In court, the victim, a commercial motorcyclist, testified that the robbery occurred around 8:45 pm along NTA Road, Ado Ekiti. He explained, “The defendant asked me to take him to Judge’s Quarters. When we arrived, he got off the motorcycle. I expected payment, but instead, someone emerged from the bush wielding a cutlass. The defendant, who was the passenger, held an axe. They took my N15,000 and motorcycle. I saw the defendant’s face clearly because of the streetlight. I reported the incident to the New Iyin Road Police Station.”
He added that three days later, he spotted Peter at a restaurant, detained him, and with the help of bystanders, called the police. Although Peter initially denied involvement, the motorcycle was found in his house during a police search.
The prosecutor, O.S. Akinwumi, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendant’s statements and motorcycle documentation as evidence.
Peter, through his lawyer Stanley Okonkwo, pleaded his defense but called no witnesses.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye found Peter guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment for armed robbery and nine years for conspiracy.
“The defendant confessed to being one of the armed robbers. I find him guilty as charged. Accordingly, he is sentenced to nine years for conspiracy and life imprisonment for armed robbery,” the judge declared.
