A Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere High Court on Wednesday sentenced two men, Williams Udoh and Ubong Isaiah, to death by hanging for armed robbery and rape.
The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, also sentenced Udoh to 21- year imprisonment for raping a married woman during their robbery operation.
The trial judge pronounced the convicts guilty of the five count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and rape brought against them by the Lagos State government.
Ipaye, while delivering judgment during virtual sitting of the court said the prosecution has proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt.
She held that that the offences of rape, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery were indeed committed by the defendants.
“The prosecution has successfully established that series of robberies took place on Aug. 2, 2015 and that the robbers were armed with guns and other offensive weapons.
“The failure of the state to tender the weapons does not water down the fact that the weapons were actually used.
“I am satisfied with the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, together with the graphic testimony of the PW1, there is no room for any mistaken identity that the defendants were actually those who participated in the armed robbery.
“Also, I find the testimony of PW3 credible and detailed. Penetration however slight constitutes an offence of rape.
“PW3 was able to establish that the first defendant (Udoh) raped her. She said that the defendants were not masked so she was able to identify them.
“The testimony of PW3 was also collaborated by PW2 which is cogent to establish that PW3 was indeed raped.
“Having established the offences of rape and armed robbery, the prosecution has indeed proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt.
“I therefore find you Williams Udoh and Ubong Isaiah guilty as charged.
“You shall be hung by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your souls”, she said.
Credit: The Nation