The judge sentenced Korede after he was found guilty of attempting to rob a man at Jakande Bus Stop, at the Eti-Osa area of Lagos State.
The state government had brought a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery, contrary to Sections 299 and 297(2) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 against the defendant.
The defendant was arrested for attempted robbery on November 11, 2020. He was arraigned on November 17, 2020, but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel, Adebanke Ogunode, commenced trial and called the victim and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to testify against the defendant.
The judge held that, during the examination-in-chief, the nominal complainant, who was the second prosecution witness, told the court that he was robbed in the night by three men who rode on one motorcycle.
He told the court that he was at Jakande Bus Stop at the Eti-Osa area of Lagos State looking out for a motorcycle ride home when he fell victim to the robbers.
He also told the court that he saw the defendant (Korede), adding that he was one of the persons that robbed him of his smartphone and N125,000, brandishing a locally-made pistol.
The witness said he pushed the defendant to the ground after the robbers had taken his phone, and that the other two rode away, shortly before the police arrived at the scene.
The judge held that the witness was not very sure of the number of people who robbed him and that there were contradictions between the witness and the IPO.
As a result of the contradictions, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had not successfully proved that the defendant conspired to rob the nominal complainant.
She discharged and acquitted the defendant on both counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.
The judge, however, held that the defendant was not completely free of any offence as a pistol was found in his bag.
“The defendant had a handmade pistol on himself. He intended to rob the nominal complainant but he was stopped. I find that the defendant did attempt to rob the complainant. I find that the prosecution has sufficiently proved that the defendant attempted robbery.
“The defendant is hereby convicted of attempted robbery, contrary to Section 298(1) of the criminal laws of Lagos State,” the judge ruled.
