Robbery: Dead suspect fingered defendant as gang member – Police
A police officer testifying in a case of alleged armed robbery yesterday told an FCT High Court that a dead suspect named the defendant in the suit as being a member of his gang. The police alleged that the defendant, Reagan Abaka, on May 13, 2017 conspired with one Okwudiri (now deceased) to break into […]
A police officer testifying in a case of alleged armed robbery yesterday told an FCT High Court that a dead suspect named the defendant in the suit as being a member of his gang.
The police alleged that the defendant, Reagan Abaka, on May 13, 2017 conspired with one Okwudiri (now deceased) to break into the house of one Dr Uwakwe Abugu, at Gwagwalada while armed with guns.
It was further alleged that Abaka and the deceased robbed Abugu, a lecturer at the University of Abuja and his entire household and carted away an HP laptop, four mobile cell phones, N10,000, and two wrist watches.
The offences are said to be contrary to Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap 11 LFN 2004. The defendant however, denied the charge.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the witness, ASP Emmanuel Gabriel, told the court that a distress call came to the police that there was a robbery going on at a street in Gwagwalada at about 11:30a.m. on May 13, 2017, and that on getting there, Okwudiri, now deceased, ran into someone’s house and was shooting from there.
“He shot at the police and there was an exchange; in the process he was hit by a bullet and he fell down and was subsequently over-powered. One locally made pistol, four life cartridges and one expended were recovered from him.
“We immediately took him to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, and on the way he gave us the name of Abaka and his address, and mentioned him as one of his gang members,” the witness said.
He added that when the police located Abaka, the stolen items were recovered from him and the complainant identified them as his stolen items.
Based on an application by the prosecutor for adjournment to enable the prosecution to bring the exhibits to court, the trial judge, Justice Peter Affen, adjourned the case to June 12 for continuation of hearing.