A chief magistrates’ court in Jimeta, Yola, on Friday, sentenced three men to 10, seven and five years’ imprisonment for conspiring and stealing household items.

The convicts, Aliyu Adamu, 24, Ahmed Musa, 18, and Adamu Aliyu, 21, all of Malamre Yola, pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency.

Delivery Judgment, Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu, held that he convicted and sentenced the three suspects based on their guilty plea to the offence.

“Having considered the plea of the convicts, a crime such as this should be discouraged in society, where a group of people visit homes at night to steal, threaten and instil fear in people.

“I hereby sentence Aliyu Adamu, Ahmed Musa and Adamu Aliyu to six months imprisonment for the offence of criminal conspiracy or pay a fine of N50,000 each.

“Also that you, Aliyu Adamu, Ahmed Musa and Adamu Aliyu are hereby sentenced to 10 years, seven years and five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for the offence of theft in a dwelling house, the sentence would thereby run concurrently,’’ he said.

Mr Adamu gave the convicts 30 days to appeal or serve the term.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Galion Neron, told the court that the convicts were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and theft.

Mr Neron said that on December 20, 2023, at about 4:00 p.m., the complainant, Mahmoud Yahaya of Malamre, reported the matter at Karewa Police Station Yola, Adamawa State capital.

He alleged that the suspects criminally conspired together and broke into the complainant’s brother’s house, Isah Yahaya, located at Malamre.

The police prosecutor listed the stolen items, including one black Samsung television valued at N100,000 and 10 perfumes valued at N200,000.

Others include three caps valued at N60,000, underwear valued at N10,000, clothes valued at N300, 000 and two international passports, among others.

Mr Neron told the court that during a police investigation, the suspects admitted to the crime, and some items were recovered from their possession.

He said the offence contravened section 60 and 279 of the Penal Code of Adamawa 2018.

(NAN)