A High Court sitting in Sokoto has sentenced six men to death by hanging after convicting them of armed robbery and related offences, with the trial judge warning against the growing involvement of youths in violent crime.

Justice Malami Umar Dogondaji of Sokoto State High Court II delivered the judgments on Wednesday after finding the defendants guilty following separate trials.

Five of the convicts — Ibrahim Hassan, Dansule Mohammed, Aminu Isah, Bello Mohammed and Mubarak Mande, all residents of the Kwannawa area on the outskirts of Sokoto metropolis — were convicted of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their conviction and sentencing.

According to the court, the defendants were prosecuted on charges of criminal conspiracy and theft under Sections 279 and 287 of the Sokoto State Penal Code. One of the charges also involved the unlawful possession of firearms, contrary to Section 30 of the Penal Code.

The court noted that the convicts, aged between 20 and 30 years, were first arraigned on January 23, 2024, and had remained on trial until judgment.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Dogondaji expressed concern over the increasing involvement of young people in violent crimes, describing the trend as disturbing and harmful to society.

He lamented that many youths who should be contributing to national development were instead becoming involved in criminal activities that threaten public safety.

The judge stressed that the courts would continue to uphold the rule of law by ensuring that those found guilty of serious offences face the full weight of the law.

In a separate judgment delivered the same day, Justice Dogondaji also sentenced another defendant, Aminu Aliyu, to death by hanging after convicting him of armed robbery.

The court heard that Aliyu was arraigned on July 15, 2025, on a charge of armed robbery under the relevant provisions of the Penal Code.

After reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, the court ruled that the charge had been proved beyond reasonable doubt and imposed the death sentence prescribed by law.

The judgments come as security agencies intensify efforts to combat armed robbery, banditry and other violent crimes across parts of northern Nigeria. (Vanguard)

Update news