NAN-H-32
Imprisonment
By Nana Musa
Abuja June 7, 2017 (NAN) A Grade 1 Area Court in Kado, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a security guard, Simon James, 28, to one month imprisonment for sleeping while on duty, enabling thieves to steal vehicle parts worth N1.3million.
James, a resident of Jabi, Abuja, was arraigned on a one-count charge.
The Presiding judge, Alhaji Ahmed Ado, however, gave the convict an option of N2,000 fine .
Ado also warned him to desist from commission of crime in future, adding that the punishment was to serve as deterrent to other would be offenders.
“Be dedicated to your work,” Ado said.
Earlier, James, who had pleaded guilty to the charge, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
He claimed to have slept off while on duty.
The Prosecutor, Judith Obatomi, told the court that one Vincent Ngbekem, of Delta Transport Limited, Utako branch, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako police station on May 29.
Obatomi said that the convict, who was a security guard in the transport company, allowed thieves break into the premises by his negligent conduct.
Among items stolen were block engine, top cylinder, bottom plate, four connecting rod, four piston, bolt and nuts, injector head, oil pumping casing and oil, all valued at N1. 3million.
The prosecutor said that the offence was punishable under Section 196 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
NHM/AOS/OJO
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Mufutau Ojo)