A Senior Magistrates’ Court in Wuse, Abuja, on Wednesday discharged and acquitted Abubakar Haruna of the offence of trading in black market.
Police prosecutor, Sgt. Ambi Ayuba, who arraigned Haruna, 30, in court, said he was charged with selling petroleum product on the express way.
Ayuba told the court that Haruna, who resides at Arahaman International Primary School Garki, Abuja, was arrested by a police patrol team on March 24 at about 7.30 p.m. while selling petrol on Area 11 by Total Filling station.
The prosecutor told the court that the act constituted public nuisance and contravened the Penal Code.
Haruna pleaded guilty to the charge.
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Ms Binta Dogonyaro, discharged Haruna of the offence but with a warning that he should desist from the act in the future.
She said that the act infringed on the environmental laws of the Federal Capital Territory and noted that the harsh economic situation in the country should not be an excuse to run foul of the law.
The Magistrate, who further lectured Haruna on the need to stay out of trouble in the future, reminded him that “petrol is inflammable and can cause public nuisance.’’(NAN)
