A middle-aged man, Sampson Paul standing trial for robbery, told an FCT High Court that on the day the alleged crime took place, he was in faraway Auchi, Edo State, attending a wedding.
The police charged Paul with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and attempt to commit murder.
Under cross-examination, Paul said on July 6, 2017, the day the police alleged the offence took place, he was with his fiancee in Auchi for her sister’s wedding.
“I work at Interconnect Hotel at Dutse Alhaji and I was given four days casual leave to attend the wedding,” he said. I left Abuja on July 4, 2017 and returned on July 11, 2017.”
Asked to show evidence that he traveled to Auchi on the day of the incident, the defendant said the police seized his letter of approval for the casual leave. He also said the ticket given to him by Peace Mass transport was destroyed because it rained heavily that day.
“The police tortured and forced me to sign a written statement on something I know nothing about,” he said.
The police alleged that on July 6, 2017 at about 8a m, the defendant with one other now at large conspired to commit armed robbery contrary to Section 6 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions), 2004.
The police alleged that Paul and the others armed themselves with dangerous weapons and robbed one Francis Ejiakuamu of his Toyota car at Dutse Alhaji contrary to Section 1 (2) of a Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) 2004.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendant in an attempt to steal the car inflicted grievous injury on the victim which was also an attempt to his life, contrary to Sections 229 and 250 of the Penal Code.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, adjourned the case until December 5.