My Mother Will Die If You Jail Me, Phone Thief Begs Court

It was drama at the FCT Magistrates’ Court, Wuse Zone 2 yesterday, as a middle-aged man convicted of stealing a mobile phone begged the court for leniency to enable him take care of his aged mother, who lives with him.

The accused, Gideon Diogbe of Lugbe, FCT appeared before trial magistrate, Rosemary Kanyip, for allegedly sneaking into a neighbour’s room on June 27, 2011, while he was sleeping to steal his mobile phone, valued at the cost of N13, 000.

The offence is contrary to Section 288, of the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The prosecutor, Jeremiah Isaiah, said that the case was reported to Lugbe Police Station by one Andrew Ohana, of the same address with the accused person, hence his arraignment in court.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant told the police that it was in the process of the accused’s trying to leave the room that he woke up and raised an alarm, which led to his being caught. He added that he was searched on the spot and the phone was recovered from him.

The accused pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him and pleaded for leniency.

He was sentenced to a one month jail term or option of N500 fine.
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