Man, 28, Flogged For Trespass, Theft

An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered that one Shagari Aliyu , 28, resident of Mabushi village in the FCT be given 12 lashes for stealing two handsets.

The accused, who pleaded guilty to the offence of criminal trespass and theft, had begged the court to be lenient with him.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Adikwu, told the court that on February 26, Joseph Magaji and Amos Bijimi both of Gishiri village, Abuja, reported at Maitama Police Station that the accused entered into their rooms and stole the handsets.

Adikwu said the accused was eventually caught by the complainants’ neighbours, adding that the offence contravened Sections 342 and 287 of the Penal Code.

Senior Magistrate Chukwuemeka Ubani, who ordered that the convict be flogged, warned him never to commit such an offence again.