ELIJAH & ANOR.
V.
STATE
S. A. OLAGUNJU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The 2 appellants were tried jointly with 8 others for the offence of armed robbery punishable under sub-section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearm (Special provisions) Act. Cap. 398 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigerian 1990, by the Robbery and Firearm Tribunal holden at Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State. The trial began following the plea of each accused person taken on 7/9/98, ran through to 27/5/99 when the learned counsel concluded their addresses and the case was adjourned to 3/6199 when judgment was delivered.
Each accused was convicted and sentenced to death.
In the meantime, on 28/5/99, Tribunal (Certain Consequential Amendments, etc.) Decree, No. 62 of 1999, to be contracted to 'Decree 62 of 1999' in subsequent references, was promulgated. It dissolved from that day certain Judicial Tribunals including Robbery and Firearm Tribunal which tried and convicted the appellants along with 8 others and vested the jurisdictio…