Court sentences security guard to prison for stealing two pumping machines

A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja, on Thursday, sentenced one Bills Moses, 25, a security guard, to 14 months in the correctional centre for stealing two pumping machine.

Moses, a resident at  Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft.

The convict after his guilty plea asked the court for leniency.

The Judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko,  gave  the convict an option of N50,000 fine.

Kagarko also advised Moses to be of good behaviour and shun a life of crime after serving his jail term.

He said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigour of protracted prosecution.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Steven Osho told the court that Tobore Ojuederie of Rapid Security Guard, Maitama, Abuja, arrested and brought the convict to Asokoro police station on Jan. 5.

Osho said that the convict was employed as security guard at No. 80 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, but  he dishonestly and  smartly made away with two pumping machine valued N 1.4 million in the premises.

The pumping machine, he said, belonged to one Mr Abubuike Chimaoge.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement.

Osho said the offence contravened Sections 312 and 287 of the Penal Code.