Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos – A Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Wednesday sentenced an unemployed man, Murtala Muhammed, 32, to three months imprisonment for stealing armoured cable worth N3.6million.
Muhammed, who resides at No. 16, Borno Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos, was arraigned before Magistrate F.M. Dalley on a two-count charge of theft and willful damage, offences he admitted committing.
In her ruling, Dalley said: “The court has considered you Muhammed as a first time offender and the fact that you pleaded guilty and showed remorse for what you have done.
“You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment without an option of fine.”
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, had told the court that the convict committed the offences on June 14, at 4.00a.m. on Queen’s Drive Road, by Umoru Close, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He said that the convict stole armoured cable valued at N3.6million, property of Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC)
The prosecutor added that Muhammed willfully and unlawfully damaged the cable which prevented electricity supply to members of the public in the area.
“The cable thief was caught in the act with two scissors by some residents,” he said.
The offences, Osijiale said, contravened Sections 287 (1) and Section 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 (1) carries three years imprisonment, while Section 350 stipulates seven years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.