John, had pleaded guilty to a three-count of criminal trespass, housebreaking and theft.
He had pleaded; “I am sorry for the act I committed and I am pleading with the court not to send me to jail. It was hunger that made me to steal. For some time now I don’t have job, please sir forgive me and I promise not to steal again.’’
The judge, Garba Ogbede, however, sentenced the poor Nigerian, John to three months in prison with an option of payment of N15,000 fine.
Garba Ogbede also ordered that the recovered 2 packets of Maggi be returned to the owner.
According to the judge, the punishment would have been more severe if he had not pleaded guilty, and saved the court the pains of a prolonged prosecution.
NAN reports that the prosecuting counsel, Vivian Oporomo had told the court that on July 12, Eneojo of same address, reported the matter at the Iddo Police Station.
Misss Oporomo told the court that the convict broke into the complainant’s shop at about 1.30am and stole two packets of Maggi cubes, valued at N700 and one DVD player valued N10,000.
She said when the complainant caught the convict in his shop with the said items, he raised an alarm.
During police investigation and interrogation, the convict admitted to committing the offence.
The prosecutor said the offences contravene sections 342, 347 and 288 of the Penal Code.
Sadly, John was unable to pay N15,000 fine and was taken to Kuje Prison to serve 3 months in jail.
