Court Sentences Teenager Over Phones’ Theft

A Mararaba Grade1 Area Court, Nasarawa State, yesterday sentenced a 19-year-old man, Monday Stephen, to one year imprisonment for stealing three cell phones, valued at N59,800.
The convict, who has no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft.
The judge, Yusuf Yaqub, however, gave the convict an option of N5,000 fine and warned him to desist from committing crime.
He also ordered him to pay N71,000  as compensation to the complainants.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Agabi Auta, had told the court that one Isah Abdullahi, Atabo Joseph, and Adamu Mustapha of Aso, Mararaba, reported the matter at Aso Police Station, Mararaba on Sept. 8.
He said that the complainants alleged that the convict conspired with one Onu and stole their cell phones worth N59,800: a Tecno H5, valued at N22,000, one Gionee, valued at N18,000 and Camon CH, valued at N19,800.
Auta said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.
“After the said phone and money were given to him, the defendant absconded to unknown destination, until Sept. 5, when the complainant trailed and met him at Kabayi.
“Instead of giving the complainant his phone, the defendant started fighting the complainant and in the process damaged the complainant’s second phone, valued at N130,000, and a wrist watch, valued at N3,500,” Auta said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 312, 265 and 327 of the Penal Code.
The judge, Yusuf Yaqub, thereafter, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case until Nov. 6, for hearing.