Court Sentences Dismissed Soldier to Death by Hanging for Murder and Armed Robbery
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a dismissed Nigerian Army Corporal, Stephen Iweh, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Crime That Shocked the Community
Akahi News gathered that the incident occurred on 23rd May 2021 along the East-West Road in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. The victim, Christopher Enobong Jimmy, a 42-year-old Clearing and Forwarding Manager based in Port Harcourt, had offered Iweh a lift from Onne in Rivers State to Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom.
Tragically, on reaching Oboro Junction, the soldier allegedly shot Jimmy dead, stole his Toyota Matrix car and personal belongings, and fled the scene.
Investigation and Arrest
According to court records, Corporal Iweh, who joined the Army in 2002 and was serving with the 6 Battalion, Ibagwa in Abak, was on duty on the day of the crime but abandoned his post to carry out the attack.
Investigations revealed that the father of three had been in illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle he reportedly picked up in Borno State in 2018 and kept for personal use. He was eventually traced to Andy Guest House in Ukanafun, where security operatives apprehended him and recovered the weapon.
Court’s Verdict and Sentence
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Bassey Nkanang held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Iweh on a three-count charge of murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The court sentenced him to death by hanging for murder, death by hanging for armed robbery, and 10 years imprisonment for illegal firearm possession.
Despite pleas for mercy, the court rejected Iweh’s allocutus, stressing that the severity of the crime warranted the maximum penalty.
Grieving Family Left Behind
The widow of the deceased, 34-year-old Arit Jimmy, tearfully told journalists that her husband left home for a family visit in Ikot Abasi but never returned, leaving her and their children devastated.
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