Why court discharged 2 men charged with robbing Abuja church

Two men charged by the police for robbing the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) located at Ministers Hill, Katampe Abuja in 2018, have been discharged. The police had charged Hayatu Ya’u, 29, and Manir Abdullahi, 26, a taxi driver and a fruit seller with armed robbery in 2018. They were said to have stolen […]

Two men charged by the police for robbing the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) located at Ministers Hill, Katampe Abuja in 2018, have been discharged.

The police had charged Hayatu Ya’u, 29, and Manir Abdullahi, 26, a taxi driver and a fruit seller with armed robbery in 2018.

They were said to have stolen five television sets, two laptop computers, two video cameras and four standing fans from the church during the robbery attack.

The police said Ya’u and Abdullahi were arrested on February 28, 2018 with offensive weapons. hence, the duo were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on armed robbery

They were alleged to have conspired to commit armed robbery punishable under Section 6(b) of Robbery and Firearms Act 2014.

However, the trial judge, Justice Salisu Garba discharged them and struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution following an application by defendant’s counsel, Bello Wali, praying for their discharge.

“I am convinced that the prosecution was served severally but failed to appear and it is fair for the accused to gain their freedom.

“This is a gross violation of Section 36 of 1999 constitution as amended, consequently, the case is hereby struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,” the judge held.

In his application to discharge his clients, Wali prayed the court to free the accused persons for failure of the prosecution to open their case after several adjournments.

He added that the prosecution counsel failed several times to appear despite hearing notices duly served him.