Three construction workers were sentenced to six months in prison on Thursday, each by a Dei-dei Grade 1 Area Court in Shagari Quarters, Abuja, for stealing nine iron rods valued at ₦490,000.
Mustapha Isah, 22, Uzaifa Sa’adu, 24, and Abba Musa, 23, all of Mabushi, Abuja, were found guilty after entering guilty pleas to stealing and criminal conspiracy.
However, every convict pleaded with the judge for pardon and leniency in the sentencing.
“I committed the offence. I beg that the court to have mercy on me,” Isah said.
In his allocutus, Sa’adu also asked the court for mercy and leniency.
“I plead for mercy, I ask that the complainant Ibrahim Abdulmalik, forgives us and the court be lenient in punishing us, Musa said”.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sulyman Ola convicted and sentenced all three suspects following their admission to committing the crime.
“The court has found the convicts guilty of the offences, in line with their plea for mercy.
“And as first time offenders, who did not waste time and resources of the court,
“Isah, Sa’adu and Musa are hereby sentenced to six months imprisonment each with an option to pay N20, 000 fine,” Ola pronounced.
Ola said that the judgment would deter those wanting to indulge in any criminal act.
Earlier, The prosecution counsel, Chinedu Ogada, told the court that the convicts were arraigned on two counts bordering on criminal conspiracy and theft.
Ogada said Ibrahim Abdulmalik of Katampe, Abuja, reported the matter at Mabushi police station on Aug. 9, at about 2:00pm.
The prosecution counsel said that, on Aug.8, at about 1:00am, the convicts jointly conspired and stole nine iron rods from a building site at Katampe Abuja.
Ogada told the court that while the convicts attempted to escape with the items, they were intercepted by vigilante members in the Katampe area and taken to the police station.
The prosecution counsel said during the police investigation, all three suspects admitted to the crime and the nine iron rods were recovered from them.
He stated that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code Law.