AN Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on  Wednesday cautioned and discharged one  27-year-old unemployed Chisom Emmanuel, who pleaded guilty to theft of iron rods and cables valued at N96, 000.

The Magistrate, Mrs H. O. Omisore, discharged the unemployed after reviewing  the  facts of the case.

Omisore advised the unemployed to return to his home town and engage in farming instead of staying jobless in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emmanuel, whose address was not given, was arraigned on Jan. 30, on a two-count charge of wilful damage and stealing.

He had been remanded by the court.

On Wednesday, the Prosecutor, Insp. Okete Ejime, told the court that the facts were as stated on the charge sheet.

Ejime said that on Jan. 26, at 6.20p.m., the defendant was caught by security guards on Ajanuku Estate, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos State,  with iron rods and cables.

He added that the defendant stole the materials from the Ajanuku Estate management.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant also damaged two pillars, from where he jumped into the estate to commit the offences.

Ejime said that security guards caught the defendant and took him to the police.

The offences contravene Sections 287 and 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Ejime tendered the statements of the security guards and that of the defendant as exhibits,  and they were admitted in evidence.

“It is based on the confessional statement of the defendant that he was brought to court,” the prosecutor said.

Ejime told the court that the iron rods and cables had been released to the management of the estate.

The magistrate consequently found the defendant guilty as charged and cautioned him against committing crimes.

“I can see that the stolen items have been returned to the owners; the convict is remorseful and has been in custody since January.

“He is hereby discharged,” she held.

-NAN

BE

– Feb. 13, 2019 @ 15:55 GMT |