Amidst the ongoing economic challenges plaguing the country, a Magistrates’ Court in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, handed down an 18-month prison sentence to a trader, Zih Davou, on Wednesday for stealing a he-goat from a man’s home.
Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos, presiding over the case, swiftly delivered a verdict after the defendant pleaded guilty to the theft charge. In addition to the prison sentence, the magistrate also imposed a fine of N50,000, with the alternative of serving one year in prison should the fine remain unpaid. Furthermore, the convict was ordered to pay N50,000 in compensation to the victim, or face an additional six months in prison if the compensation was not forthcoming.
The case, which unfolded on August 19, 2024, was brought to the court’s attention by the complainant, Fawole Ayodeji, who reported the incident to the “B” Division police station. According to the prosecution, led by Inspector Ijuptil Thiawur, the accused broke into Ayodeji’s residence and made off with the he-goat, valued at N100,000. Inspector Thiawur further revealed that this was not the first time the accused had been involved in criminal activity at the same residence. Earlier, Davou had been apprehended for a previous theft, which included 15 measures of rice, 10 measures of fertilizer, and a bundle of zinc, all stolen from the same property.
This case highlights the rising instances of theft in local communities as individuals, struggling with the prevailing economic hardship, resort to crime. The court’s decision aims not only to address the theft but also to serve as a deterrent for others considering similar offenses in the future.
