A Kado Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 20-year-old scavenger, Saidu Abubakar, to two years imprisonment for stealing doors and windows from furniture shop.The convict however, pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency, saying the hardship in the country led him to commit the crime.
Delivering judgment, the Judge, Mohammed Wakili, held that he convicted and sentenced the suspect based on his plea of guilt to the offence.โThe court having found the convict guilty of the offence, in line with his plea for mercy and as a first time offender who did not waste the time of the court. Abubakar is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option to pay N30, 000 fine,โhe said.
Wakili said the judgement would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in any criminal act.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that, the convict, Abubakar of no fixed address was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, mischief and theft.
Nwafoaku said, Mr Chima Igbonman of Kado Estate, reported the matter at Life Camp police station on Aug. 16, at about 3:00p.m. He said that, on the said date, while the complainant was on his way to his furniture shop situated at Kado, he saw the convict and his two accomplice now at large, moving chairs out of his shop.
The Prosecution Counsel said, after the complainant arrived at his shop, he realised the convict and his accomplice had forcefully moved out windows, doors and iron bars from the shop. He said that, Mr Igbonman, immediately raised alarm and Abubakar was apprehended while his accomplice ran to an unknown destination.
Nwafoaku said during police investigation, the defendant admitted to committing the crime and all the stolen items were recovered from him. He further stated that the offence contravened the provision of sections 97, 327 and 288. (NAN)
