A Magistrates’ Court in Minna, on Tuesday sentenced a 26-year-old security guard Nasiru Salihu, to six months in prison for stealing 10 pieces of aluminium zinc.
Salihu, whose address is unknown, was arraigned on a two-count charge of theft and attempt to escape from lawful custody, contrary to sections 287 and 173 of the Penal Code.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Thomas Peter, had told the court that the defendant was caught in possession of the 10 pieces of aluminium zinc valued at N10,000 on May 6.
According to Peter, during investigation it was discovered that the zinc belonged to Joko Tola farms, Minna, where Salihu works as a security guard.
He said the defendant confessed to stealing the item from the farm.
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He further added that while in police custody, the defendant broke the roof of the cell where he was being detained and attempted to escape.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.
The Prosecutor, thereafter, prayed the court to try him summarily in line with section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
In her ruling, Magistrate Binta Rijau sentenced Salihu to six months in prison with hard labour.
Rijau, however, gave him an option to pay a fine of N5,000.
NAN
