An FCT High Court, sitting in Kubwa, on Tuesday ordered a 21- year-old student, Abraham Umuibe, who cheated a Chinese woman of N113,000 to sweep Mpape Government Secondary School for 90 days.

Delivering judgment, Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya said the court had been enjoined to give non-custodial sentencing geared toward decongestion of the prisons depending on the case, adding that the parties entered a plea bargain.

Ms Ogbonnaya ordered the prison officers to provide a register for Mr Umuibe to sign in daily for the 90 days and after which he would be free to go home.

She warned him to desist from committing crimes and be of good behaviour. 

Earlier, the defence counsel, Ruth Mamza, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the defendant was a first time offender with no criminal record.

According to Ms Mamza, he is remorseful and understood the gravity of his offence.

“The defendant  has repented and refunded everything he collected from the crime,’’ Ms Mamza said.

The prosecuting counsel, Ijeabalum Diribe told the court that Umuibe and his defence counsel had entered and signed a plea bargain on June 16.

Mr Diribe urged the court to sentence and convict Mr Umuibe in line with the terms of the plea bargain entered which states that upon conviction, the defendant should pay N113, 000 fine or one month in prison.

The EFCC charged Mr Umuibe with cheating and falsely representing himself as a Chinese citizen and military man named Maisbay Chang.

The prosecuting counsel said Mr Umuibe fraudulently induced a Chinese lady on WE chat and collected N113,000 from her.

She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 95 of the Penal Code.