A 28-year-old trader, Bashiru Aliya, found himself sentenced to nine months imprisonment by an Area Court in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday. The reason behind this judicial decision was his involvement in the theft of two cartons of seasoning valued at N98,500.
Judge Shawomi Bokkos delivered the sentence subsequent to Aliyu's admission of guilt, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria. In the words of the judge, "The court finds Bashiru Aliya guilty of the charge."
However, in a somewhat lenient twist, Bokkos granted Aliyu an alternative route to punishment.
He presented the trader with the option to pay a N20,000 fine instead. In addition, the judge mandated Aliyu to compensate the complainant, Moses Agbo, with a sum of N120,000.
The legal saga unfolded after the case was brought to the attention of the Railway Police Station on August 4, as narrated by the prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Gokwat. Gokwat outlined that Moses Agbo reported the incident, revealing that Aliya, in collaboration with an accomplice who is currently evading authorities, pilfered the seasoning cartons from Agbo's shop in the market.
This act, according to the prosecutor, stands in violation of the stipulations outlined in the Plateau Penal Code.
The wheels of justice turned decisively, condemning Aliya for his involvement in the theft that transpired in the market setting.
