Court jails wheelbarrow pusher for stealing 3 bags of bambara nuts

Mararaba (Nasarawa State) – A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court on Wednesday sentenced a 23-year-old wheelbarrow pusher, Bashir Mohammed, to 12 months imprisonment for stealing three bags of bambara nuts worth N36, 000. The convict stood trial for criminal conspiracy and theft, punishable under Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code. The Judge, Mr Albert Maga, however, gave the convict a N5, 000 option of fine. Maga said he had no option than to sentence the convict accordingly since he had pleaded guilty to the charges. He also ordered the convict to pay the complainant N36, 000 for the bambara nuts. “The punishment would have been more severe if you had not pleaded guilty and you should also stay away from bad friends, because they will only cause you more harm than good,’’ he said. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, told the court that one Ugwuja Jude of Aso Pada, Mararaba, reported the case at the ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Mararaba on May 29. Adaji said that on the same date, the complainant bought three bags of bambara nuts and asked the convict to convey them in his wheelbarrow to his shop located at Mararaba Junction. “However, while the complainant was making a call, the convict conspired with one Husseini, now at large and stole the three bags of bambara nuts valued at N36, 000. “He was caught when he tried to escape and the complainant raised an alarm,” he said.