A High Court in Bayelsa State has sentenced two men to five years imprisonment for conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, News About Nigeria reports.
The court, sitting in the state capital, Yenagoa, handed down the sentences to Believe Leisure, 36, and Jacob Doukumo, 42, under suit number BYHC/BHC/CR/1/2023.
The two men were apprehended by officers from Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command on December 24, 2022, along the Sangana Creek in Brass Local Government Area.
However, one of the convicted criminals, Believe Leisure, died in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Okaka, Yenagoa, while awaiting trial.
Consequently, only Jacob Doukumo was present in court for sentencing.
The Police Counsel, Stella A. Jerry-Friday Esq., charged the men with conspiracy to commit a felony and armed robbery, offences punishable under Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, CAP R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
According to the prosecution, on December 24, 2022, at around 6:00 AM, Leisure, Doukumo, and three accomplices still at large, armed with a single-barrel gun and two machetes, attacked Johnbull New Year and another individual identified only as Jackson.
They robbed them of a 30-horsepower Suzuki outboard engine valued at N600,000.
“That Believe Leisure, Jacob Doukumo, and three others at large on the 24th day of December 2022 at Sangana Akassa in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State while armed with a one single barrel guns and two machetes, attacked one Johnbull New Year and one Jackson surname yet known and robbed them of 30 horsepower Suzuki outboard engine valued at N600,000 only.”
After a thorough investigation led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo of Operation Puff Adder, Leisure and Doukumo were arrested and subsequently remanded in custody.
The presiding judge, Justice T.Y. Abasi, found the accused guilty on all three counts and sentenced them to five years imprisonment.
