An Ikeja High Court yesterday sentenced a 27-year-old man, Olayinka Ayeni, to life imprisonment for assaulting a lady while attempting to snatch her handbag in Meiran area of Lagos.
Ayeni, who was arraigned by the Lagos state Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on June 27, 2012, before Justice Lateefat Okunnu on a charge of armed robbery had pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Mr Femi Adamson, told the court that Ayeni committed the offence on March 14, 2011 at about 10.30 p.m., at No. 40, Kola Oretuga St., Iyana Bus Stop, Meiran, Lagos.
Adamson said Ayeni trailed one Miss Modupeola Iromini from the bus stop and assaulted her with a sharp weapon while attempting to snatch her handbag.
He said the victim shouted for help and was rescued by some persons who apprehended Ayeni and handed him over to the police.
The prosecutor stressed that Iromini was later taken for treatment at Niki Hospital, Meiran, due to the injuries inflicted on her by Ayeni.
Adamson said the offence contravened Section 403 (2) (a) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003.
Delivering her judgement, Justice Okunnu said the prosecution had proved its case against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt.
The judge convicted the accused of the offence of attempted robbery.
She said the testimonies of the victim and her father were very credible and they had properly identified the accused.
The judge said he was, therefore, guilty of the offence of attempted armed robbery.
Okunnu said the sentence would commence from June 27, 2012, when Ayeni was arraigned for the offence.
