Two Brothers Bag 6 Months Jail Term For Stealing Generator

A Kubwa Senior Magistrates' Court, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced two brothers, Bello Yusuf and Halilu Yusuf to six months imprisonment each for stealing a power generating set.

The Senior Magistrate, Ms Mary Kanyip, gave the convicts no option of fine as she ordered them to return to the village after serving their sentences, "since you have nothing doing in Abuja''.

"Both of you should return to your village and find something to do as it is obvious that you have nothing doing in Abuja,'' she ruled.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Sandra Opaeraugo, had told the court that the case was reported at the Kubwa Police Station, Abuja, on April 14 by Chikezie Austin, a resident of Kubwa.

Opparaugo said Austin complained to the police that the convicts trespassed into his house under the guise of gathering refuse for disposal and stole his generating set.

She said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

Section 348 provides that whoever commits criminal trespass shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.

Section 288 states that whoever commits theft in or from any building, tent or vessel shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.

The convicts pleaded guilty to the charge of trespass and theft.

The first convict, Bello, in his plea for leniency, told the court that he was tempted to steal the generator because he needed money to take care of his poor family.