Harsh? Man sentenced to jail for stealing 3 bottles of cough syrup

by Isi Esene

Amos Sijo, a 28-year-old man living in Abuja was on Thursday sentenced to three months imprisonment by a Gudu District Upper Area Court for stealing three bottles of Benylin cough syrup.

The judge however gave the accused and option of coughing out N3,000 or serve the prison sentence.

According to the police prosecutor, Christian Munonye, the offense was committed on September 26 at Judith Pharmacy Store at Apo in the nation’s federal capital city.

The case was said to have been reported at the Durumi Police Station by one Judith Ogedegbe.

Munonye said, “The accused went to Judith Pharmacy Store at Apo Sparkly Plaza, pretending to buy some drugs when he stole the drugs. They were valued at N1,950.

“The bottles of syrup were recovered from the accused during police investigation,” he stated.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing begging the court to be lenient in its sentencing.

Sijo said, “I was sick. That was why I went to steal the medicines,” he said.

What do you think about the sentencing, is it harsh or apt?

Comments (5)

  1. my friiends do not be decieved that he was sick, he does not need 3bottles of cough syrup to cure cough one is enoug, even if the cough is severe doctors will still give him one bottle and anti biotics to compliment. Those cough syrups were stolen so he can get high on them, it contains codine which aids in making one high if taken in large quantitie like a full bottle.

  2. Seems unfair on the surface. But sadly, that is the law. Penalty for stealing is jail-time. However the residing judge had the power of discretion to issue a much lighter sentence, if he wished, considering the circumstances. I believe he exercised that power by asking the convict to pay the N3K fine.

  3. it was harsh my piple y cnt we be considerate in dis country of ours my piple dis judith he is sick 4 goodness sake let be Godly!

  4. Crazy world, crazy judgement. The judgement is ok since it has an option of 3k, this is just to serve a warning to those who steal.

    With all sincerity, the blames still goes to our government for not providing free health care. SMH for this country self.Gbam#

  5. That is too harsh.
    He should be treated or free and released.

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