Trader jailed for sending fake alert in Plateau

A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 35-year-old trader, Samuel Jigede, to four months imprisonment for sending fake alerts after buying goods.

Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos, summarily sentenced Jigede after he pleaded guilty.

Bokkos, however, gave the convict the option to pay a fine and a compensation of N15, 000 in order to spend three months in jail.

The magistrate said the punishment would serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported on July 11, at the ‘C ‘Division Police Station in Jos by one Uzochukwu Nwakasi, the complainant.

The prosecutor said the convict bought goods and sent fake alerts to the sellers before he was caught.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, is punishable under the provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code Law.