By Abimbola Ogunnaike
A 30-year-old painter, Zakaraya Usman has been sentenced to two months in prison by a Grade I Area Court sitting in Kabusa, Abuja, on Thursday, 25 May, 2023 for stealing four bibles, 124 church membership forms and others.
The police charged Usman with theft and the presiding judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Sadiq, however, gave him the option to pay a fine of N10,000 or serve the jail term.
“Based on your admission to committing the crime, you are hereby, convicted as charged. You are also hereby sentenced to two months imprisonment, or pay a fine of N10,000,’’ the judge ruled, just as he also advised the convict not to repeat the act and warned that the court would not be lenient on him if he commits such a crime again.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr O. S. Osho told the court that the matter was reported at the Durumi Police Station by Mr David Usman, the Chief Security Officer of Living Faith Church, Durumi I branch.
According to him, the convict trespassed into the church premises and stole three mini bibles, one big bible, 14 Caprizone drinks, two bottles of water, 18 testimonial certificates, and 124 church membership forms.
Other items, he said, are security jackets, two shirts, two jackets, two handkerchiefs, two bags and some cash.
The police prosecutor, who said that during the police investigation, all the items were recovered from him, added that the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.
