By: Sunday Ameh
A 26-year-old trader, Umar Ibrahim, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Jos for breaking into his neighbour’s residence and stealing clothing materials valued at ₦50,000.
Ibrahim was convicted on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of theft brought against him.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Irene Pati sentenced the convict to two years in prison, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine. The court also ordered him to pay ₦70,000 as compensation to the complainant.
The magistrate held that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to engage in similar criminal acts.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Ijuptil Thiawur, told the court that the case was reported on March 24 at the ‘C’ Division Police Station in Jos by the complainant, Naimu Idris.
He explained that the defendant unlawfully gained entry into the complainant’s residence and made away with lace fabric and a wrapper belonging to her.
According to the prosecutor, the stolen items were valued at ₦50,000.
Thiawur further told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code.
The court subsequently relied on the defendant’s guilty plea, as well as the uncontroverted facts presented by the prosecution, in arriving at its judgment.
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