On Tuesday, the Jos Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 32-year-old labourer, Emmanuel Zamfara, to nine months’ imprisonment for stealing and selling a smartphone.

The magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mr Bokkos, in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N30,000 fine or spend three months in prison and also to pay compensation of N76,000 or spend another six months in default in prison.

He said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Ijuptil Thlawur, told the court that the case was reported on August 17 at the “A” Division Police station by Salama Bala, the complainant.

Mr Thiawur said the convict, who had taken a ride in the tricycle, begged the rider to use his phone to make a call and then fled with the phone.

The prosecutor said the convict sold the phone for N30,000 before being arrested.

The police said that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law.

(NAN)