2nd August, 2011
An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Monday sentenced a housemaid, Godswill Anthony, to one month imprisonment for stealing N500,000.
Senior Magistrate Aminu Abdullahi, however, did not give her an option of fine, saying that her sentence would serve as a lesson to her and a deterrent to others.
Police Prosecutor Monday Akor had told the court that the convict stole the money from her employer, Mrs. Mercy Igbokwe, who resides at River Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Akor said Igbokwe reported at the Maitama Police Station on July 26 that Godswill stole N500,000 from her handbag and gave it to one James of no fixed address.
He said the offence was contrary to Section 289 of the Penal Code Law.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and her counsel, Mr. Victor Idu, appealed to the court on her behalf to temper justice with mercy.
The senior magistrate noted that Godswill was a first time offender and was remorseful.
The prosecutor had made an application to the court that the convict should pay compensation to the nominal complainant, which was turned down by Idu.