A 32-year-old vulcanizer, Chidozie Onyinchiz, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ikeja Special Offences Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada. Onyinchiz was found guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and membership of an unlawful society for robbing a nurse of N57,000.
Justice Dada stated that the prosecution had proven the charges against Onyinchiz and that his attempt to deny the charges was futile.
The victim, Veronica Uwayzor, had identified Onyinchiz as the perpetrator, and he had also confessed to the crimes and his membership in an unlawful society.
The state prosecutor, Mrs Afolake Onayinka, had previously informed the court that Onyinchiz committed the crimes with an accomplice, Ediri Endurance, who is still at large.
The incident took place on August 12, 2018, and according to the prosecution, the victim, Veronica Uwayzor, had identified Onyinchiz as the perpetrator after he and his accomplice, Ediri Endurance, robbed her of N57,000 at Akesan Bus Stop. The prosecution submitted that neither Onyinchiz nor Endurance wore masks during the robbery, which made it easy for the victim to recognize Onyinchiz a few hours after the incident. Onyinchiz was arrested after the victim ran into a white garment church and alerted the local landlords.
In his confessional statement, Onyinchiz admitted to belonging to an unlawful society and stated that it was his first time committing a robbery in Akesan. He also admitted to being initiated into Eiye Confraternity in 2009 but claimed that he had never killed before. The prosecution submitted that the evidence against Onyinchiz was compelling and the court found him guilty of the charges preferred against him.
Justice Dada stated that “The totality of the evidence before the court is compelling and I find the defendant guilty of the charges preferred against him. He is hereby sentenced to death by hanging and may God have mercy on his soul.”
The state prosecutor, Mrs Afolake Onayinka, had also informed the court that the incident was in contravention of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of committing crimes like armed robbery, and the importance of the justice system in bringing perpetrators to account for their actions.
