21-year-old man falsely accused of robbery in Ekiti freed — after 2 years in prison

A high court in Ekiti has discharged and acquitted Thomas Malachy, a 21-year-old man, who was accused of armed robbery in the state.

Malachy is said to have already spent over two years in detention before he was freed by the court.

The robbery is said to have happened on November 16, 2018, at Iworoko Ekiti.

Malachy had been accused of using a locally made gun to rob a resident of her phones, laptop computer, and a sum of N57,000.

In a judgement on Thursday, John Adeyeye, the judge handling the case, held that the prosecution was not able to link the defendant to the alleged crime.

“In this case, the prosecution having failed to link the defendant with the charge with credible, cogent, and convincing evidence has not proved all the ingredients of the offence beyond reasonable doubt,” Adeyeye ruled.

“The defendant is entitled to be discharged and acquitted. I acquit and discharge him accordingly.”

According to NAN, during the trial, H.A. Adeyemi, the prosecutor, called five witnesses and tendered phones, canvas shoes, statements of the defendant and the victim as exhibits.

On his part, Michael Afolayan, counsel to the defendant, said the charge against his client was “mere suspicion”.

The alleged offence is contrary to section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.