A Lagos High Court has sentenced two young men, Emmanuel Victor and Wisdom Ikechukwu, to 21 years in prison each after they were found guilty of robbing passengers at the Maza Maza motor park.

The robbery happened in the early hours of January 8, 2022, at around 4:30 a.m. According to reports, the two men attacked three passengers who were waiting to board a vehicle. Armed with cutlasses, they stole valuable items including an iPhone 7, a Samsung S8, an Infinix Hot 10, and N5,000 cash.

The case was reported shortly after by a commercial driver, whose account matched those of the victims. His quick report helped the police track down and arrest the suspects. During police questioning, both men confessed to the crime, admitting they used cutlasses during the attack.

Their trial began in November 2023, after they were officially charged in April 2022. The prosecution presented evidence including witness statements, recovered stolen items, and the confessions of the accused. A police officer testified that the two men were part of a gang that had been harassing commuters in the area.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya, who presided over the case, ruled that the evidence clearly proved their guilt. While their lawyers asked the court to show mercy—citing their youth and the fact that they were first-time offenders—the judge said the law must be followed. She sentenced them to 21 years in prison each, with the sentence starting from the date they were first taken into custody.

The court found them guilty on three counts: conspiracy, robbery, and stealing. They were discharged on one of the lesser counts.

This case serves as a strong message about the consequences of violent crime, especially in public spaces like motor parks.