Court Remands Man Over Armed Robbery

A Port Harcourt Chief
Magistrate Court presided over by E. C. Woke has remanded in prison custody a thirty-seven-year old man for an alleged armed robbery and other criminal offences.
The accused person, Umunakwe Abraham, 37, and others now at large are standing trial on a two-count charge of robbery, theft and illegal possession of fire arms before Chief Magistrate E. C. Woke.
The prosecution told the court that the accused person on 18th December, 2013 at No 18 Victory Avenue, Elekahia, Port Harcourt Magisterial District conspired among themselves to commit felony, to wit, armed robbery.
The prosecution also stated that the accused person and others now at large on the same date and place, on the aforesaid magisterial district, while armed with locally made pistol, did rob one Akanu Obasi Okoro of one million, seven hundred and fifty thousand naira cash, one hundred and six dollars cash, some jewelries, six handsets, one brief case, credentials/certificate, international travelling passport, wedding rings, children birth certificate, land property documents, among others.
He further alleged that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under Section 9 (b) and 1(2)(a) of the robbery and firearms (special provision) Act Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
In his ruling, the presiding Chief Magistrate, I. E. C. Woke averred that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the matter and ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody while the file be forwarded to the office of DPP. The case was adjourned to June 18, 2014.