Fraud
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, July 31, 2018 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Mustafa Umar, to three months imprisonment for breach of trust.
Umar, who resides at Dape by Chief Palace, Karmo, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
He also begged the court for leniency.
The Area Court Judge, Mr Maiwada Inuwa, however, gave Umar an option of N10, 000 fine and ordered him to also pay a compensation of N25, 000 to the complainant.
He said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigour of protracted prosecution.
The court also warned the convict to be of good behaviour.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mrs Ukagha Ijeoma, had told the court that on July 23, 2018, Zaradeen Adam of Life Camp, Abuja, reported the matter at Life Camp Police Station.
Ijeoma said that Umar came to the complainant and told him that he wanted to sale his tricycle at N55, 000.
She said that the complainant gave the convict the N55, 000, but that when he demanded for the tricycle, Umar intentionally refused to provide it.
Ijeoma said that Umar later paid N30, 000 to the complainant and dishonestly converted the balance of N25, 000 to his personal use.
She added that during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement.
She said the offence contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UGO/OFN/OPI
Edited by Felix Nwadioha and Olisa Ifeajika