An Area Court in Jos on Monday sentenced Michael Auta and Gabriel Sunday to 12 months imprisonment each for stealing clothing items valued at N488,000.
The convicts, who are friends, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
Presiding Judge Mrs. Shawomi Bokkos delivered the judgment, offering the defendants an alternative option of paying a N50,000 fine each. Additionally, the court ordered both convicts to pay N200,000 compensation each to the complainant, Ms. Gift Ernest, or face an additional 12-month jail term for defaulting on the payment.
Police Prosecutor Insp. Daniel Damulak presented the case, revealing that the theft was reported at the B Division Police Station on April 17. According to Damulak, the complainant accused the defendants of trespassing into her shop and stealing the clothing items.
“During the police investigation, the accused persons confessed to having committed the offence,” Damulak stated, adding that the crime violated the Plateau State Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria (2017).
