Accused Jailed 4 Years For Theft

A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting at Abule Egba, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, has sentenced an accused, Victor Abaju, 23 to four years imprisonment.

The accused was alleged to have stolen N36,000 and three handsets worth N15,000 after breaking into a room belonging to Onwuka Ugochukwu.

He was docked on a two-count charge of stealing and illegal entry, offences punishable under Sections 390 and 411 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 32, Vol.11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count two of the charges reads: “That you, Victor Abaju on 13 April,  2011 at  1, Botude Street, Oke Odo in the Ikeja Magisterial District did steal the sum of thirty-six thousand naira and three handsets worth fifteen thousand naira, properties of Ugochukwu Onwuka, Odede Aina and Okolie Choma and thereby committed offences punishable under Sections 390 and 411 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 32, Vol.11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

He pleaded guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Mr. Komolafe O.A. sentenced him to four years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.  He was unable to pay the fine and was taken to the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons, Apapa.

—Ogunlade Tomiwa