A Magistrates’ court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, yesterday sentenced an artist, Adamu Abdullahi, 34, to one week in prison, for stealing a pack of chewing gum containing 14 packets.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ubari, sentenced Abdullahi after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of theft.
Ubari, however, gave the convict an option to pay N100 fine.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Umar Ango, had told the court that one Akpama Micheal, of Care Angels Pharmacy, Abacha Road, Abuja, reported the matter at the Wuse Police Station on May 9.
He said the convict trespassed into the pharmacy and stole a packet of `Orbit complete sugar-free gum valued at N1,200.
Abdullahi, who pleaded for leniency, said it was the devil that pushed him into committing the crime.
“I have a wife and two children. I stole the packet of Orbit chewing gum to sale on the street to get some money.
“I am an artist. My art works were seized by the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency. I am the only one taking care of my family.
“I will not do it again,’’ he pleaded. (NAN)
