An Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced a dismissed soldier and an accomplice to death by hanging for their roles in a series of armed robbery attacks targeting tricycle operators.
The former military officer, Promise Okokon Usoro, aged 41, and Odinaka Emmanuel Victor, aged 32, were convicted of multiple crimes committed in February 2013. A third accused, Ndifreke Willie Udo, was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
According to Leadership Newspaper, Usoro—previously attached to the 6 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Abak—was court-martialed and dismissed before being handed over to police authorities. He confessed to robbing commercial tricyclists (Keke Napep) in Uyo using an AK-47 rifle.
In his confession, Usoro admitted to participating in three separate robbery incidents, including one where he received ₦50,000 from the sale of a stolen tricycle. His accomplice, Odinaka, also admitted to being part of a Port Harcourt-based syndicate that moved to Uyo for operations.
Odinaka described how they picked up Usoro from the barracks before launching an attack that led to the robbery of another Keke rider. They were later caught in possession of the stolen vehicle.
Delivering judgment after 12 years, Justice Archibong Archibong ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against the two men. He therefore sentenced them to death by hanging, while Udo was acquitted.
The ruling marks one of the longest-delayed convictions in Akwa Ibom’s judicial history, underlining the need for quicker justice in criminal trials.
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