Police arraign Abuja bank robbery suspects

The Police have arraigned five suspects arrested in connection to a robbery operation at a bank in Mpape area of the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.

The suspects — Ehizo Larry, Princewill Obinna, Elijah David, Timothy Joe, and Ernest Ewin — were arraigned before Ajoke Adepoju, judge of a federal capital territory high court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

They all pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

The suspects had attempted to rob a branch of First bank in Mpape on December 28, 2019, when luck ran out on them. Four of them were arrested at the crime scene while one was shot dead by the police when he attempted to escape.

In a statement made to the police, Elijah David, one of the suspects, claimed Larry Ehizo, an employee of the bank, led them to rob the financial institution.

After the arraignment, James Idachaba, the police counsel, asked for a week’s adjournment to prepare for trial. He told the court that the prosecution would be calling seven witnesses to prove its case.

“Our case is very easy because the defendants were caught in the act,” he said.

Idachaba also told the court that the police would contact the legal aid council to get lawyers to defend some of the defendants who do not have legal representation.

The judge fixed March 13 for trial and ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody