Judge sentences labourer who stole cell phone to prison and then pays the option fine to set him free

The Presiding Judge, Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Albert Maga, on Thursday paid a N700 fine on behalf of a labourer, Victor Emmanuel, 18, who he had just sentenced for theft of cell phone.

Maga sentenced Emmanuel to four years imprisonment for criminal trespass and theft of a Blackberry Curve 7 cell phone, after Emmanuel had pleaded guilty. He however gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N700.

Out of compassion, Maga paid the N700 fine for the accused. He told him to repent and get closer to God.

The case against Emmanuel was brought by a 26-year old hotelier, Jude Mba, who told the court that on April 13, he was charging his Blackberry cell phone in his hotel room and slept off.

“I heard sound of noise and I opened my eyes. I saw the accused making call and entering the room; I went back to sleep again. When I woke up, I could not find my phone again and I reported the matter to the police,” he said.

In the course of the prosecution, the police prosecutor, PC Friday Adaji, told the court that on April 13, Mba of Morning Star Guest Inn, Aso Pada, lodged complaints against the accused at the Aso Pada Police Station. He said the convict was later arrested with the cell phone in Aso Pada by the police.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.