Two members of a three-man robbery gang, who have been using tricycle to rob innocent members of the public in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, have been sentenced to death.
The condemned armed robbers are 35-year-old Donald John Obot, a barber from Nung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and 36-year-old Blessing Christopher Utah, an ex-convict from Ibiaku Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area.
They were sentenced on Thursday by Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, having found them guilty of robbing a trader, Esther Victor Akpan after she withdrew one hundred and ten thousand Naira from her bank on Abak Road, Uyo in December 2018.
The convicts confessed that before nemesis caught up with them, they had robbed a man of five hundred thousand Naira, another of two hundred thousand Naira and a woman at IBB Avenue, Uyo of her one hundred and thirty one thousand Naira.
The trial judge, Justice Okon, while delivering the judgment, found Donald John Obot and Blessing Christopher Utah guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery.
The Court said “it is bizarre and unfortunate that armed robbers abused public transport system and converted their tricycles to perpetrate crime, leaving their innocent victims with harrowing experiences and tales of woes”
Justice Okon held that the convicts confessed that their meeting point was Federal Secretariat, Uyo, before they proceeded to monitor banks and ATM points in Uyo metropolis, looking for customers withdrawing money”.
The leader of the gang and rider of the tricycle used in the robbery operations, is said to have escaped and has not been found till today.
The Court said “his days are numbered” advising him to use his lucky escape to mend his ways and lifestyle.
Justice Okon ordered that the two defendants should die by hanging for armed robbery, while each of them is to serve seven years imprisonment for conspiracy.