NAN-H-20
Convict
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Jan. 18, 2017 (NAN) A 35-year-old unemployed man, Chikodi Onwutiebe, who stole one Samsung Galaxy phone valued at N70, 000, was on Wednesday jailed 12 months by a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.
The Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, sentenced Onwutiebe after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
Kazeem said that the convict was sentenced to six months on each count, but would only spend six months as the sentences are to run concurrently.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, had told the court that the man committed the offences in August 2016 at No. 148/150 Nnamdi Azikwe St., Lagos Island.
Osijiale said that the convict conspired with others still at large and stole a cell phone belonging to Kehinde Ogundare.
He said that Onwutiebe entered Ogundare’s jewellery shop, posing as a customer, picked a sample of neck lace and asked for 50 pieces.
“As the complainant went in to get his order, Onwutiebe stole her cell phone and left the shop.
The complainant raised alarm on Oct. 6, 2016 when she saw him again in the shopping complex.
He said the convict was arrested and handed over to the police.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Onwutiebe, in his plea for leniency, said that he stole because he needed money for his wife’s Caesarean Section (CS).
“I stole the cell phone because my wife was in the hospital with some complications.
“The doctor asked for N250, 000 to carry out the CS to save her life and that of my unborn child.” the convict said. (NAN)
TME/EOB/GOK
=======
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Olagoke Olatoye