A Lagos State High Court situated in Tafawa Balewa Square sentenced a 24-year-old motorcycle (Okada) rider, Idris Agunbiade, to 21 years in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery case.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the sentence, finding Agunbiade guilty of both conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.

Justice Sonaike specified that the 21-year sentence would run concurrently, commencing from the day of the verdict.

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The convict, who had been in custody prior to his sentencing, had been arraigned on November 26, 2019, facing two charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery filed against him by the Lagos State Government.

The state’s prosecuting counsel, Mr. Moses Kuku, informed the court that Agunbiade had committed the offenses on October 15, 2019, in association with other individuals who were still at large.

The incident occurred around 4 pm in the Oko-Afo area of Lagos State.

Kuku explained that while armed with a firearm, Agunbiade had assaulted and robbed a victim named Nmachi Aloysius of N220,000.

These actions violated Sections 299 and 297 (2) (a) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

Although the convict, who was 20 years old at the time of the offenses, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty during the trial, Justice Sonaike concluded that the prosecution had effectively substantiated its case and the elements of the offense against Agunbiade.

Agunbiade’s lawyer made an appeal for leniency, highlighting that the convict was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record.

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The prosecutor also confirmed the absence of any previous criminal record related to the convict.

Consequently, Justice Sonaike imposed a 21-year prison sentence on Agunbiade for both counts, without the possibility of a fine. This sentence will run concurrently, commencing immediately.