Abuja Court Sentences Man to 18months Jail Term For Phone Theft

 

A bus conductor named Shedrach Ezekiel, 21 has bagged an 18-month jail term after being found guilty of stealing a mobile phone worth N11,000. He was sentenced on Tuesday, 25th of August at a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja.

 
The presiding judge, Albert Maga, convicted Ezekiel after he pleaded guilty for the offence of conspiracy and theft. The convict, who pleaded for leniency, said, “I don’t have anybody here, I came to this town to look for job but it has not been easy for me.”

Maga said that the accused had not been able to give tangible reasons to the court on why he should not be punished for the offence. He said that the sentence would serve as deterrent to other offenders of like minds.

“However, the prosecutor was unable to prove the charge of conspiracy as the other suspect is still at large.

“The court hereby discharge the accused on the charge of conspiracy and sentence him to 18 months imprisonment for the offence of theft,” Maga said.

The judge, however, gave the convict an option of N4, 000 fine and also ordered him to pay the complainant N11, 000 as compensation for the stolen phone.

The prosecutor said the convict contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 287 of the Penal Code.