A Dei-Dei Grade I Area Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a 26-year-old man, Nafiu Hauau, who stood as surety and failed to produce two suspects.

Mr Hauau, who resides in  Gwarinpa Abuja, was sentenced on two counts of conspiracy and screening of offenders.

The Area Court judge, Sulyman Ola, however, gave the convict an option of N20,000 fine.

The prosecutor, Chinedu Ogada, told the court that the convict committed the offence on March 28 at about 12:00 p.m. at Dei-Dei Police Station.

Mr Ogada said the convict stood as a surety for  Bashiru Sa’adu and Adamu Yusuf, who were charged with joint act and theft

He said that the convict promised to produce the suspects any time they were needed by the police but failed to do so.

He also told the court that the convict dishonestly gave the police a false name.

The prosecutor added that during the police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement and all efforts made to arrest suspects failed.

Mr Ogada said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 167 and 140 of the Penal Code.

(NAN)