Labourer bags six months imprisonment for house breaking, theft

October 11, 2012 15:22

NAN-H-46

Labourer

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2012 (NAN) An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced one Chinonso Oguguwa, a 22-year-old labourer to six months imprisonment for house breaking and theft.

The Senior Magistrate, Bashir Alkali, however gave him an option of N3,000 fine.

The police Prosecutor, Jerry Elijah, told the court that on Oct. 10, one Ifeyinwa Okereke of Sunny Ville, Abuja reported Chinonso at the Lugbe police station.

Elijah told the court that at about 1.00 pm on the same day, Okereke received a phone call while in her office that Chinonso had broken into her house

According to Elijah, Chinonso broke into the house and stole some of the complainant property, including a laptop, four GSM phones and jewelry but was caught by security agents while trying to escape.

``When he was caught, he was unable to give a satisfactory account of himself,’’ the prosecutor said.

Elijah told the court that the offences were contrary to Sections 352 and 285 of the Penal Code.

Chinonso admitted to the crime and pleaded with the court for mercy, claiming that he was bewitched into committing the act.

The convict also pledged to stop all criminal acts, saying he had started receiving spiritual help from a Church.

The prosecutor urged court to grant Chinonso summary trial as provided under section 157(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The senior magistrate said that the six months imprisonment  was to serve as a lesson to the convict, ``as he had no reason to justify his actions''.

``Chinonso was unable to give satisfactory reasons for his actions and blames it on the devil and some evil forces in the village.

``All these enjoy no legal backings and I see them as superstitions,’’ Alkali said. (NAN)

LIZ/MZA/MZA

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