Labourer bags 10 months imprisonment for stealing tyres

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court,  Nasarawa State, on Tuesday sentenced a 23-year-old labourer, Dominic Etim, to 10 months in prison for stealing four tyres valued at N80, 000. Etim, who resides at Aso B in Mararaba, was arraigned on a charge of theft. The Judge, Mr Albert Maga, who handed down the verdict, however, […]

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court,  Nasarawa State, on Tuesday sentenced a 23-year-old labourer, Dominic Etim, to 10 months in prison for stealing four tyres valued at N80, 000.

Etim, who resides at Aso B in Mararaba, was arraigned on a charge of theft.

The Judge, Mr Albert Maga, who handed down the verdict, however, gave the convict an option of N8, 000 fine.

He said the prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore, the convict was guilty as charged.

“The prosecution presented three witnesses in the matter and had established beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty of the offence.

“I hereby sentence you (Dominic Etim) to 10 months imprisonment with an option of N8, 000 fine,’’ he ruled.

Maga also ordered the convict to pay N70, 000 as restitution to the complainant for the stolen tyres.

The labourer was first arraigned on Aug. 28 for the offence of theft to which he pleaded not guilty.

Police Prosecutor Agabi Auta told the court that the case was reported at Aso Police Station by the complainant, Pius Ejiofor of Tudun Wada, Mararaba, on August 26.

According to Auta, on the same date at  8.00 a.m., the accused entered the complainant’s mechanic workshop located at Mararaba while he was making a phone call and stole four tyres valued at N80, 000.

He said the accused also stole some of the complainant’s clothes valued at N10, 000 and ran away.

“Etim was seen on Aug. 26 by the complainant at Mararaba when he was about to board a bus and he was arrested.

“During police investigation, the accused confessed to the crime and said he sold the tyres to one Uche Johnson, who is now at large,’’ he said.

The offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)