Armed robbery: Court reverses order, allows police to re-open case

An FCT High Court in Maitama, yesterday, reversed its order foreclosing prosecution in a 2013 armed robbery case. The judge granted an application by the police prosecutor, Sani Moyi, seeking the leave of the court to re-open its case in an alleged armed robbery suit  against the trio of Joel Anthony, 20, Mohammed Ibrahim, 22, […]

An FCT High Court in Maitama, yesterday, reversed its order foreclosing prosecution in a 2013 armed robbery case.

The judge granted an application by the police prosecutor, Sani Moyi, seeking the leave of the court to re-open its case in an alleged armed robbery suit  against the trio of Joel Anthony, 20, Mohammed Ibrahim, 22, and William Nnam, 22, all residents of Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The defendants were charged in 2013 by the police on a two-count charge bordering on armed robbery and conspiracy for allegedly robbing one Awogbemu Ade of Kwali of his car and other valuables while armed with dangerous weapons.

At the last adjourned date on December 12, 2017, the judge, Justice Peter Affen, had foreclosed the prosecution based on lack of diligent prosecution and adjourned for adoption of written addresses.

However, at the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecutor told the court that he was transferred out of jurisdiction and wrote a letter to notify the court of the transfer, adding that he was surprised to meet the case file still at the stage he left it before he was transferred.

He appealed to the court to allow him to finish the case.

Responding, counsel to the first defendant, Mr Abdulkarim Audu, said there was no cogent and compelling reason to grant the application.

Justice Affen, however, ruled in favour of the prosecution and adjourned the case to Feb. 14 for hearing.