An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ court in Wuse Zone 2 has sentenced a labourer, Okey Siasia, 42, to 120 days in prison for allegedly stealing N395, 500 from his girlfriend.
Siasia, who resides in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, was arraigned on one count of theft.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency.
The Magistrate, Mr Aliyu Shafa, in his judgment, sentenced the convict with no option of fine.
Shafa ordered the convict to pay N398,500 back to the complainant, being the amount stolen from her.
He ordered that failure to comply with the payment order will attract another 90 days imprisonment.
He said the sentence would deter men who normally betrayed their partners trust.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Abdullahi Alhassan, had told the court that one Miss Chidinma Aghanya, of Wumba village, Apo, Abuja, reported the case at Mubushi Divisional Police Headquarters, on March 25.
Alhassan said that the complainant had informed Siasia that she had the amount in her possession, being proceeds from a supply she delivered to a client.
He said that Aghanya had gone out and left Siasia in her room, to run an errand.
Alhassan said that when the complainant came back, she discovered that the money was missing and when she called the accused, he refused to pick her calls.
He said the accused was later arrested in Masaka, Nassarawa State, and during interrogation he confessed to have committed the offence.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 287 of the Penal code.
In his plea, the convict begged for forgiveness.
“ The case is family matter which we can settle out of court because she is my girlfriend and the spirit tells me to carry the money and share to people,’’ the convict said. (NAN)
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
