Driver jailed 18 months for negligence

On Friday, a Jos Magistrates’ Court sentenced 38-year-old driver Haliyu Ibrahim to 18 months in prison for negligence. Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos presided over the case, which was resolved quickly after Ibrahim admitted guilt. In addition to the prison sentence, Magistrate Bokkos imposed a fine of N30,000 on Ibrahim and mandated that he pay N600,000 in compensation to the complainant.

The case was brought to the court by Prosecution Counsel Labaran Ahmed, who detailed the events leading up to the sentencing. Ahmed explained that the complaint was filed on July 2 at the “C” Division Police Station by Yunisa Yahaya. According to the prosecutor, Yahaya had entrusted Ibrahim with his motorcycle, which was valued at N1 million, for safekeeping. However, on the same day the motorcycle was handed over to Ibrahim, he returned to inform Yahaya that the motorcycle had been stolen.

The court heard that Ibrahim’s actions constituted negligence, as he failed to secure the motorcycle as agreed and did not take appropriate measures to protect the property. This offence is punishable under the Plateau Penal Code Law, which governs such cases of negligence. The Magistrate’s decision reflects the seriousness of the offence and aims to provide some measure of justice for the complainant.