Court sentences guard to 9 months in prison for stealing motorcycle, money, cigarettes

A Magistrates’ Court in Jos on Thursday sentenced a 78-year-old guard, Sani Ibrahim, to nine months in prison for stealing cash, a motorbike, and packs of cigarettes.

Shawomi Bokkos, the magistrate, sentenced Ibrahim summarily after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

The convict, however, was given the option of paying a fine of N20,000.

The offender was also ordered to pay the plaintiff N400,000 in compensation or face six months in prison if he failed to do so.

According to Bokkos, the sentence will act as a deterrent to other would-be perpetrators.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Labaran Ahmed, told the court that the case was reported on Nov. 24 at the A Division Police Station Jos by one Douglas Kokelu.

According to Ahmed, the criminal left his duty post without permission, leaving the gate open for his friend to steal the items stated.

The prosecutor stated that the items were worth N694,000.

He said the offence is punishable under the Plateau State Penal Code Law.