A Magistrates’ Court in Jos has sentenced Sadiq Umar, a 26-year-old mechanic, to 15 months in prison for attempting to pickpocket passengers.
The presiding magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, handed down the sentence after Umar pleaded guilty to the charges. He was given the option to pay a fine of N100,000 to avoid serving a one-year jail term and was ordered to pay N15,000 in compensation to the victims or face an additional three months behind bars.
Prosecutor Ijuptil Thiawur informed the court that the incident occurred on November 16 and was reported by three passengers: Moses Pam, Alexander Bakshak, and Simon Justice. Umar attempted to steal from them while in a vehicle. When the driver stopped to search him, Umar fled but was eventually apprehended.
The offence violated provisions of the Plateau Penal Code Law, according to the police.
(NAN)