Committed a Deliberate Offence
AN Abuja Magistrate Court yesterday sentenced a man to one year imprisonment for buying iron rods stolen from the National Christian Centre by some security guards.
Tochukwu Okafor bought the stolen iron rod sometime in 2005 and was arrested and arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court on May 5, 2005, but pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Albert Okara, had earlier told the court that on February 28, 2005, one Eusebius Oparaji, chief security officer of Gitto Construction Company, Central Area, Abuja, reported to the police that Tochukwu and others bought 200 stolen iron rods from some thieves.
He said on February 27, Tochukwu Okafor, Thomas Azima, Umar Salisu, Ada Musa, Hussaini Ibrahim and Henry Ochugbua, all of Mararaba Gurku, conspired with one Katcha, now at large, and bought 200 stolen iron rods from their security guards, one Chinedu Eke and three others.
“The accused persons bought 200 stolen iron rods from the company’s security guards, knowing full well that the said iron rods were stolen from the National Ecumenical Centre, Central Area, Abuja,” the prosecutor said.
He said the accused persons committed offences punishable under sections 97 and 317 of the Penal Code.
The 4th and 5th accused persons pleaded guilty when it was mentioned and were sentenced to six months jail terms or to pay N5, 000 as fine, while the other accused persons were granted bail.
At the resumed hearing, Chief Magistrate Josephine Obannor convicted the accused, Tochukwu able Okafor, and sentenced him to one year imprisonment without option of fine.
She, however, discharged was the 6th accused person, Henry Ochugbua, for lack of evidence pay to convince the court that he was guilty of the said allegations.
Daily Trust, Friday, October 22nd, 2010,
Page 55
By Hussein Yahaya & Ibraheem A. Fatai
