HAMMA AKAWU BARKA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The instant appeal filed with the leave of Court, is against the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Akwa Ibom, sitting in Okobo and presided by Gabriel Ette J, in charge with No. HOK/2c/2014; The State v. Chief Lawrence John Esin and ors; delivered on the 5th day of August, 2016, wherein the appellant was found guilty of the offences of conspiracy, murder and arson and sentenced to death by hanging. The accused appellant, was arraigned and jointly tried along with eight others on the following counts of the charge:
COUNT I.
STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
Conspiracy, contrary to Section 552 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38 vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria 2000.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you CHIEF LAWRENCE JOHN ESIN, NKOYO LAWRENCE ESIN, EDET SOLOMON ANWANA, JOSHUA OKON EDET, ENO SOLOMON ANWANA, ETIM ASUQUO UKPONG, EDET EDET JOHN, ASUQUO OKON JOHN and others now at large on the 4th day of January, 2014 at Udung Ukpong village, Ok…