by Emmanuel Okubenji

The Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, has sentenced Ibrahim Alhaji of Kuruduma Village in Asokoro, Abuja, to six weeks imprisonment for criminal breach of trust and theft.

The Presiding Judge, Umar Kagarko, however, gave him an option to pay N10,000 fine. Kagarko also ordered the convict to pay N70,000 in compensation to the complainant.

Police prosecutor Philip Akogwu had earlier told the court that Idoko Ameh of No. 21, Justice Sowemimo Street, Asokoro, Abuja, reported the case at the Asokoro Police Station on January 2. Akogwu said that Ameh entrusted Alhaji, his servant, with his property at his site in Kuruduma Village and later discovered that some gear box parts, wheelbarrows, and the rim of a truck valued at N70,000 were missing.

He alleged that the suspect sold the rim for N3,500 to a scavenger of no fixed address and that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 314 and 289 of the Penal Code.

Alhaji pleaded guilty and begged for leniency, saying that it was the work of the devil.