By Martin Iyonguvihi
A 35-year-old man, Ahangba Ive of Gboko Local Government Area in Benue State was recently convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for theft of recharge cards, valued at N160,000.
The convict was arraigned by the Benue Police Command for theft and criminal intimidation contrary to Section 287 and 397 of the Penal Code Law of Benue state 2004.
During the arraignment, the Prosecutor, Insp. Omaye Ujata, told the court that the convict was arrested on 29 March, 2021 opposite Kanshio market where he was reported by one Ahar James to had entered his sister-in-law’s shop and made away with some recharge cards valued at N160,000.
The Prosecutor further said, the victim quickly raised the alarm and the convict was apprehended with the recharge cards by some vigilante persons and brought to Police ‘B’ Division in Makurdi. She said while at the police station, the convict started threatening the vigilante men who arrested him that if he got out of the police station, he will kill them.
When the charges were read before the convict in court, he pleaded guilty, “It is true that I stole the recharge cards.” However, the Prosecutor applied that he be tried summarily since he had pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, J.K Akoso Esq, asked the accused person to show cause why he should not be punished, and he answered, “when I took the recharge cards, I did not take it away before I was caught. At the time I took it, the lady was sleeping. That is all.”
Delivering judgment, the Magistrate said, “the defendant has not shown any cause why he should not be convicted and upon his plea of guilt to the offence of theft contrary to Section 287 of the Penal Code, I hereby sentence him to a fine of N20,000 or six months imprisonment in default of the payment of the fine. This is done in accordance with my summary jurisdiction.”
At the time of filling this report, the convict was sent to the Nigerian correctional facility in Makurdi.
