A Magistrates’ Court in Jos has sentenced a 23-year-oldjn trader, Joseph Peter, to nine months in prison for stealing foodstuff, a gas cooker, and other items from his neighbour’s house.
Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos delivered the verdict on Wednesday after the convict pleaded guilty to charges of housebreaking and theft.
The court offered Peter an option of a N20,000 fine in place of the prison sentence.
Additionally, the magistrate ordered the convict to pay N130,000 in compensation to the complainant.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Ijuptil Thiawur, told the court that the case was reported at the Anglo-Jos Police Station on January 11 by the complainant, Ngumut Jacob.
The court heard that, apart from foodstuff and a gas cooker, the convict also stole clothes, a laptop, and a mobile phone.