In a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court session held on Thursday, May 9, a 23-year-old student named Rabiu Garba was sentenced to 12 strokes of the cane for the theft of a laptop and two cell phones.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel handed down the sentence to Garba, a resident of Badiko in Kaduna, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of trespass and theft.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, Yusuf Usman, residing at the same address as the defendant, reported the incident at Gabasawa Police Station on May 3. Leo explained that Garba unlawfully entered the complainant’s room and stole a laptop valued at N220,000 and two phones valued at N342,000. The stolen items were recovered from Garba during the disposal process, but unfortunately, the laptop was found to be non-functional.
Leo pointed out that the actions of Garba violated the provisions of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
In response to the charges, Garba pleaded guilty and appealed for leniency from the court, expressing his commitment to changing his ways.
In delivering the verdict, the magistrate acknowledged Garba’s admission of guilt, which spared the court unnecessary time and resources. Despite this, the magistrate cautioned Garba to maintain good behavior and refrain from criminal activities in the future.
