From Naseer Al-sirajdeen Minna
60 year old Fatima Ahmadu, and 21 years old Hafsat Ilyasu were on Friday, sentenced to four years jail terms apiece by a Minna Chief Magistrate Court No1 sitting at the High court complex.
The duo were found guilty of the four count charges brought against them by men of the Chanchaga divisional police of the Niger State Police command
Both were convicted and sentenced for the offences of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, house breaking and theft.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Aliyu Yakubu Kuta, the four count charges are punishable under section 97,288,348 and 354 of the penal code
The prosecutor told the court that one Alhaji Abdullahi Naminna the director of First El- Shabab oil and gas LTD eastern bye pass Minna had reported to the police in GRA divisional command through a distress phone call that thieves were operating in a house in Tayi village in Minna.
“Upon the receipt of the report, the Divisional police officer (DPO) in-charge of GRA divisional command Mallam Murtala Mustapha SP. swiftly led his plain clothes operatives to the scene and effected the arrest of you Fatima Ahmadu 60, and Hafsat Ilyasu 21 all of Sayako area of Minna.
“In the process the following items suspected to have been stolen were recovered from your possession. The items, include a 45 inches plasma T.V set, big and medium size boxes containing expensive wrapers, a Ghana must go also containing unserved wrappers and lace materials, five bags containing children wears, Golden trinkets Jewelries all valued at about N7000,000 were recovered from you at your escape route”
When the four count charges were read to them by the presiding chief Magistrate, Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Isah, they both admitted and pleaded guilty to the charges.
The prosecuting police officer, Inspector Aliyu Yakubu Kuta told the court to invoke the provision of section 157 of the criminal procedure code and conduct for summary trial on them and convict them accordingly.
While passing her judgement on them chief magistrate Kulu Isah, expressed concerned on the involvement of an elderly woman of 60 and young lady of 21 years of age in such crime.
She warned that criminal minded individual that want to indulge in crime should desist as the full wrath of the law awaits any criminally minded element.
She sentenced them to four years imprisonment each with an option of N400.000 fine.