Man arraigned for armed robbery, defilement in Egor, Edo State

An Egor Magistrates’ Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, has ordered that one Osayi Francis be remanded in prison custody for alleged armed robbery, carnal knowledge and attempted rape of a 20-year-old girl.

Francis had been arraigned on a nine-count bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and rape.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Lucky, had informed the court that the accused with others, now at large, committed the offence on September 26, 2015, at No. 9, Uwagboe Street, off Uwelu Road, in the state capital.

Lucky told the court that the accused had carnal knowledge of a 20-year-old girl and also attempted to rape one of his victims during the robbery operation.

He alleged that the accused stole a Galaxy phone worth N25,000 from one Peace Omogiator, a cash sum of N20,000 from one Mrs. Juliet Omoruyi.

He also said that the accused allegedly stole an Itel handset valued at N15,000, from one Kelvin Uyigue while a Nokia phone worth N4,500 was stolen from one Dorah Egharevba.

According to the prosecutor, the accused was armed with offensive weapons, such as a gun, cutlass and iron, during his operation.

He explained that the offence contravened sections 6 (b), 2 (1) (a), 2 (a), 516, 359 and 358 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R II, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the Criminal Code Cap. 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo.

But the plea of the accused person was not taken, as the presiding magistrate, Mrs. E. L. Igodan, said that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

Igodan, therefore, ruled that the accused person’s case file should be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

Man arraigned for armed robbery, defilement in Egor, Edo State