Magistrate orders 20-year-old farmer to sweep court premises

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered a 20-year old farmer, Samuel Ortega to sweep the court premises for three month for attempting to steal armoured cables.

Ortega who lives opposite the Nigerian Air force Base, Makurdi was earlier charged with criminal conspiracy, attempted theft and mischief.

The Prosecutor, James Kuegh, informed the court that on July 11, 2025, the convict and one Michael (surname unknown) trespassed into the premises of the Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi and attempted to steal armoured cables.

He further said the Air Force officers arrested the convict and rushed him to Benue University Teaching Hospital for treatment following gunshot wounds he sustained but he escaped from admission on July 18, 2025.

He said the convict was rearrested on Jan 12, by Air Force officers who had been searching for him.

Kuegh said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 353, 289 and 398 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

When the case came up for hearing, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for forgiveness with a promise not to engage in criminal acts again.

Delivering ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Regina Alashi advised youths in the state to shun crimes and engage in useful ventures.

Alashi said she would temper justice with mercy because of the convict’s sincerity in admitting to his offence.

Alashi therefore, ordered that the convict would be cleaning the premises of the Chief Magistrates’ Court I on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 am to 11 am for three months.

(NAN)