100-level Student To Die By Hanging In Benue

A Makurdi High Court, on Tuesday,
sentenced a 100-level sociology student
of Benue State University, Jacob Atongo,
to death by hanging for armed robbery.
In his judgment, Justice Adam Onum, held
that he was satisfied with the confession
of the accused to the charges and
therefore, found him guilty.
Onum sentenced the accused to death by
hanging, insisting that the sentence
prescribed under the law for the offence
must be followed.
Atongo conspired with two others and
robbed Stephen Akuma, and several
others at gun point on June 26, 2012.
The convict and his accomplices robbed
Akuma of his Toyota Camry car with
registration number Benue AID 39 AA and
other victims of valuables, including
various sums of money.
He also attacked Judges’ Quarters,
Makurdi on July 3, 2012 and robbed no
fewer than 15 people, dispossessing them
of various items and money at gun point.
The offences contravened the Robbery
and Firearms Laws.
During the proceedings, the accused
pleaded not guilty to the charges and
testified for himself along with one
witness called by his counsel.
In statements, according to the
prosecution, the convict confessed to the
commission of the offences.
But counsel to the accused, Mr E.Z.
Agbakor, argued that the prosecution
failed to prove the case against his client
beyond all reasonable doubt.
Agbakor told the court that the accused
did not make the statement tendered in
court voluntarily, insisting his client was
tortured and forced to confess to the
offences.