4 Years After, Kano Court Acquits Man Of Armed Robbery Charges

Kano State High Court has discharged and acquitted a man, Francis Obodu, who had been standing trial for nearly four years over allegations of conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Farida Rabiu-Danbappa held that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, ruling that the evidence presented did not link the defendant to the alleged offences.

Obodu, whose age and address were not disclosed in court, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a pistol.

The prosecution counsel, Abdullahi Aminu, had told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on May 8, 2022, at Kings Garden, Brigade Quarters, Kano.

According to the prosecution, Obodu, alongside one Moses Onu, who remains at large, allegedly conspired to rob Jennifer Okoh at her shop located within Kings Garden at about 7:30 p.m.

Aminu alleged that the suspects threatened the victim’s life and dispossessed her of a mobile phone, other valuables and an unspecified amount of money. He further claimed that the suspects were found in possession of a pistol.

The prosecution called one witness in support of its case and argued that the alleged offences contravened Sections 97 and 298 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Obodu, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The defence counsel, Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, called the defendant as the sole witness in his defence.

In her judgment, Justice Rabiu-Danbappa held that the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients of the offences and did not present credible evidence connecting the defendant to the alleged crime.

“The defendant, Francis Obodu, is hereby found not guilty of the three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a gun preferred against him. He is hereby discharged and acquitted,” the judge ruled.