The man had pleaded guilty to the charge, saying he was hungry when he stole the potatoes.

A 26-year-old man, Sulaityo John, who was charged with stealing five tubers of sweet potatoes inside a church, has been freed by a Grade I Area Court in Kabusa, Abuja.

John, who resides in Durumi, Abuja, was charged with theft.

He had pleaded guilty to the charge, saying he was hungry when he stole the potatoes.

While delivering the judgment on Thursday, the Judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, said: ”Having seen the small quantity of the sweet potatoes involved, the court will be lenient on you.

“You are, hereby, set free and warned never to commit such an act again.

“Next time if such a criminal charge is brought before the court against you again, serious action will be taken against you.

“You are also henceforth warned never to visit the church premises again.”

Earlier, Mr O.S. Osho, the Prosecution Counsel, said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.

Osho told the court that the defendant stole the five tubers of sweet potatoes from the church premises.

He explained that during the police investigation, the defendant had confessed to committing the crime.