Corpun file 17432

Daily Trust, Abuja, 4 January 2006

Bricklayer, vendor jailed for stealing food items

By AbdulWahab Deji Ajikobi

(extracts)

A magistrate court in Abuja has sentenced two men to two weeks imprisonment and five strokes of the cane for stealing 25 yam tubers, some pepper and ugwu leaves.

Solomon Chan, a bricklayer with Chukwudi Joseph, working with a restaurant in Abuja were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Elizabeth Tamarangedein.

[...]

The accused who were not represented by any counsel, pleaded guilty to the charges, stating that they committed the said crime because of untold hardship in the country.

Solomon Chan, a 23-year-old bricklayer who had one time worked with Paul B. Construction Company, Abuja said he was disengaged from the company due to a reduction in its workforce and that since then, he has not been in any regular employment.

He attributed his action not only to the devil but to his joblessness.

The second accused who was said to have worked with a restaurant at central area, Abuja told the court that their attempt to steal the said items was not to sell but aimed at using it to feed.

The prosecution told the court that in view of the accused plea of guilt, they should be tried summarily under section 157, sub-section one of the criminal procedure code.

While pleading on behalf of the accused persons, the complainant, Mr. Francis Ezomon, prayed the court to forgive them as it was part of his new year resolution that he does not want to begin a new year prosecuting the accused who stole things from his farm.

[...]

Giving her ruling, the presiding magistrate said in view of the plea by the complainant, she will sentence the two accused to two weeks imprisonment and five strokes of the cane.

In the court premises, a judicial enforcer swung into action by flogging them as ordered by the magistrate.