A Jos Upper Area Court, sitting in Kasuwan Nama, on Monday, sentenced a 21-year-old labourer, Puis John, to five months imprisonment for stealing the sum of N40,000 from his friend.
The Presiding Judge, Mr Lawal Suleiman, handed down the sentence after the convict pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft.
Suleiman, however, gave the convict an option of N15,000 fine and ordered him to pay the sum of N40,000, being the amount he stole from his friend, at N10,000 per month, as compensation.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Monday Dabit, told the court that the case was reported by one Gyang Bot at the Anglo Jos Police Station.
He said that Dabit reported that he hid the sum of N40,000 under his bed in his room and entrusted his key to John.
The prosecutor further told the court that the complainant explained that the convict ransacked his room while he was away and stole the money.
According to Dabit, the offence contravenes Sections 297 and 279 of the Plateau State Penal Code, Law of Northern Nigeria.
