I was at a wedding when robbery occurred, man tells court

A man charged by the police in Abuja with armed robber, and attempted murder yesterday told an FCT High Court that he was in Auchi, Edo State, attending a wedding when the incident occurred. The defendant, Sampson Paul, is facing a four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder. The police are […]

A man charged by the police in Abuja with armed robber, and attempted murder yesterday told an FCT High Court that he was in Auchi, Edo State, attending a wedding when the incident occurred.

The defendant, Sampson Paul, is facing a four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder.

The police are alleging that on July 6, 2017 at about 8am, the defendant and one other now at large, conspired to commit armed robbery when they allegedly armed themselves with dangerous weapons and robbed one Francis Ejiakuamu of his Toyota car at Dutse Alhaji, a suburb of the federal capital city.

It was further alleged that the defendant, in an attempt to steal the car, inflicted grievous injury on the victim which was also an attempt on his life.

He however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Paul told the court that on July 6, 2017, the day the police alleged the offence took place, he was with his fiancée in Auchi, Edo for her sister’s wedding.

He stated that while responding to questions during cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Kufruabasi Ebong.

“I work at Interconnect Hotel at Dutse Alhaji and I was given four days casual leave to attend the wedding. I left Abuja on July 4, 2017 and returned on July 11, 2017,” he said.

When asked for evidence that he traveled to Auchi on the day of the incident, the defendant said the police seized his letter of approval for the casual leave.

He also said the ticket given to him by Peace Mass transport was destroyed, because it rained heavily that day.

He alleged that the police tortured and forced him to sign to a written statement on an offence he knew nothing about.

Following his testimony, the trial judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, adjourned the case to December 5 for adoption of final written addresses.