Police investigation indicated that the convicts conspired and dishonestly went into the complainant’s bedroom under construction to steal the electric wires.
A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Friday, August 25, sentenced one Gambo Ibrahim, and Kabiru Sani, to one year imprison each for stealing electric wires worth about N1.1million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convicts had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of joint act and theft.
The Judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, held that the convicts’ confessional statements necessitated their convictions.
He also said that the prosecutor had carried out a diligent prosecution of the case, adding that the allegations brought against the convicts were not disputed.
“This is a summary trial, meaning that the convicts did not waste the time of the court as they have before the court admitted to the offences.
“But being first offenders, the court is therefore moved to show mercy by allowing them option of N20, 000 fine each,’’ he held.
He also ordered the convicts to pay N561, 700, each as refunds for value of the stolen consignment.
The judge, therefore, advised the convicts to stay away from crimes as they might not be lucky next time.
The prosecuting counsel, Mrs Florence Auhioboh, had told the court that the complainant, Nura Salisu of Sahara Maishayi, Gwarinpa, Abuja, reported the incident at the Gwarinpa Police Station on August 18.
She said police investigation indicated that the convicts conspired and dishonestly went into the complainant’s bedroom under construction to steal the electric wires valued at N1, 123, 400.
She said the offences contravened Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.
She added that the convicts had burnt the wires and disposed them to unknown person at the rate of N14, 000.
Auhioboh said the convicts had confessed to the crimes in their statements at the police station.
She had prayed the court to convict them to serve as deterrent to others that had contemplated such illegal acts.