Why court sentenced teenager to jail

A Minna Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced 19-year-old Jibrin Umar, to one year imprisonment for shop breaking.

Umar was docked alongside one Abubakar Mohammed on a 3-count charge of joint act, shop breaking and theft, offences Umar admitted committing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Danladi, had told the court that on Oct. 4, one Abubakar Ubale of Stadium Road, Minna, reported the matter at the police station.

He said that the complainant went to his shop at Stadium Road on the same date at 7 p.m. and discovered that it was burgled and items worth N550, 000 carted away.

According to him, during police investigation, the defendants were arrested and five smart phones and five Ipad tablets were recovered from them.

He said the offences contravened Sections 79, 347 and 288 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read, Mohammed pleaded not guilty, while Umar pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

In her ruling, Magistrate Fati Auna sentenced Umar to one year imprisonment, but, however, gave him N30, 000 option of fine.

Auna ordered that Mohammed be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter until Nov.6 for mention. (NAN)