2 Labourers in Nasarawa imprisoned for stealing tubers of yam

Two labourers, Habibu Kabiru and Salisu Hamidu, have both been sentenced to six months imprisonment for stealing 50 tubers of yam.

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada in Nasarawa State, convicted the duo who are residents of Old Orange Market Mararaba, with an option of N5,000 fine each.

The judge, Upside Yaqub warned the culprits to desist from committing crimes after being convicted. He also ordered that the stolen tubers of yam be returned to the owner.

The convicts had pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, trespass, mischief, and theft.

Following the guilty plea, the Prosecutor, Agabi Auta, urged the court to try them summarily under Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Earlier, Auta had told the court that the complainant, Utume Clement of Kudu village, Mararaba, reported the incident at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba, on Dec. 22.

He said that the convicts and one Musa Iliya, now at large, went to the complainant’s farm at Kudu village, Mararaba, and harvested 50 tubers of yam.

The prosecutor said the convicts were apprehended while trying to put the yam in a sack and were handed over to the police immediately. He said the offenses contravened Sections 79, 347, 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.