Delivering judgment, Justice Muhammed Wakili held that, he convicted and sentenced the defendant based on his plea of guilt to the offence.

A 24-year-old unemployed man, Micheal Ayegh has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by a Kado Grade 1 Area Court Abuja, on Tuesday, for stealing a generator set worth N550,000.

The convict Ayegh, of New Karu, Nassarawa state, pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency.

Delivering judgment, Justice Muhammed Wakili held that, he convicted and sentenced the defendant based on his plea of guilt to the offence.

“The court having found the convict guilty of the offence, in line with his plea for mercy, a first time offender who did not waste the time and resources of the court.

“Micheal Ayegh is hereby sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with an option to pay N20, 000 fine,” the Judge said.

The prosecution counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, however, prayed the court for a compensation of N550, 000 being the value of the stolen generator.

The Judge however, granted the plea and ordered that the convict pay a compensation of N550, 000 to the complainant.

He said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in any criminal act.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel told the court that, the convict was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and theft.

Nwafoaku said that on Feb. 28 at about 9:30 pm, the complainant Mr Iheanacho Anayo of Danziyal Plaza Central Area, Abuja, reported the matter at Mabushi police station.

He alleged that on Feb.10 at about 8:30 pm, the defendant criminally conspired with someone now at large and stole a generator set belonging to the complainant.

Nwafoaku said during police investigation the defendant admitted to committing the offence however, all effort to recover the generator proved abortive.

The prosecution counsel stated that the offence contravened the provisions of section 97 and 288 of the penal code law. (NAN)