A High Court sitting in Neni, Anambra State, has sentenced one Nonso Anunuobi to life imprisonment for his involvement in a violent criminal operation involving conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
Presiding over the case, Justice G.C. Anulude of Anambra State High Court 1 delivered the judgment after years of rigorous legal proceedings, during which the prosecution presented compelling evidence.
According to court records in Charge No. NN/5C/2019, Anunuobi and his gang members ambushed their victim, Mr. Aloysius Obidinma, at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area. Obidinma was returning to Onitsha from his hometown when the assailants attacked.
He was reportedly shot, severely beaten, and dragged into a waiting vehicle.
The gang then dispossessed him of his car, laptop, mobile phones, and other valuables before demanding a ransom from his family for his release.
The tide turned against the criminals when law enforcement authorities, acting swiftly, tracked one of the stolen electronic devices. Their investigation led to the arrest of Anunuobi and other suspects involved in the crime.
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Leading the prosecution, Assistant Chief State Counsel Fabian Okeke, presented damning evidence linking Anunuobi to the offences.
He emphasized the gravity of the crimes, noting that under Nigerian law, a conviction for armed robbery typically attracts the death penalty.
The defense, however, appealed for mercy, pleading for a mitigated sentence on humanitarian grounds.
In his judgment, Justice Anulude acknowledged the severity of the offences but cited the specific circumstances and the plea for leniency in opting for life imprisonment rather than the maximum death sentence.
“The court finds the accused guilty as charged,” Justice Anulude ruled.
“The cruelty of the acts cannot be overlooked. While the law prescribes death for armed robbery, the peculiar facts of this case and the appeal for mercy weighed heavily on the court’s decision. This judgment should serve as a warning to others who might contemplate such heinous crimes.”
Reacting to the verdict, Mr. Okeke expressed satisfaction and praised the synergy between law enforcement, the judiciary, and the public. He called for sustained efforts in tackling violent crimes across the state.
