Supreme Court affirms death sentence on armed robbery

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence passed on Freeborn Okiemute by a Delta State High Court sitting at Ozoro for the offence of armed robbery.
In an unanimous judgement of the Apex Court, the Appellant’s seven grounds of appeal as contained in the brief of arguments settled by his lead Counsel, Ayo Asala, were dismissed.
While upholding the concurrent judgements of both the trial Court and the Court of Appeal, Justice Suleiman Galadima, who delivered the lead judgement, agreed with the submission of the respondent, represented by the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, who argued that the Court of Appeal was eminently right when it upheld the conviction and sentence of the Appellant to death by the High Court of Ozoro, Delta State in case No.HC2/13C/2008 on July 14, 2010.
On November 17, 2006 at Ozoro within the Ozoro Judicial Division, the Appellant, Freeborn Okiemute, and others now at large robbed one Mathilda Egbamuno (f) of the cash sum of N500,000, jewelries, wrappers and other personal belongings, while armed with gun.
The Appellant was convicted by Justice Marshal Umukoro of Ozoro High Court, now the Chief Judge of Delta State, on count I and V of a five count charge (conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery) and sentenced him to death by hanging while he was discharged and acquitted in respect of the other four counts.
Dissatisfied with the judgement of the trial Court, the appellant filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal, Benin Division challenging the judgement on the High Court.
On November 15, 2012, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgement of the lower Court that convicted the appellant.
In affirming the concurrent judgements of the trial Court and that of the Court of Appeal,  Justice Galadima held that the prosecution did prove its case against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.
“It is on the above comments of mine and comprehensive reasons adumbrated in the lead judgement that I am in agreement that this appeal lacks merit and an order of dismissal is inevitable. Appeal is accordingly dismissed,” Justice John Okoro concurred in his ruling.