22-year-old Philip Ola, who had no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the charges of housebreaking and theft and begged for leniency. However, the judge decided to give him the option of paying a N20,000 fine and warned him to stay away from crime in the future.
The case was brought to the court by the prosecution counsel, Chinedu Ogada. According to Ogada, the complainant, Benjamin Ikechi, of Anguwan London, Ikwa Zuba, Abuja, reported the matter at Zuba police station on March 25.
Ogada explained that Ola broke into Ikechi's house and stole his cooking gas cylinder, which was valued at N25,000. When Ikechi caught him in the act, Ola was handed over to the police for investigation.
During police interrogation and investigation, Ola confessed to the crime, and the stolen gas cylinder was recovered from him. The offences contravene Section 288 of the Penal Code.
The judge's decision to give Ola the option of paying a fine has been met with mixed reactions. While some members of the public believe that the sentence was too lenient, others think it was fair considering Ola's young age and the fact that he pleaded guilty.
Reacting to the sentence, one member of the public, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, "The judge was too lenient. This will only encourage other criminals to continue with their activities. Ola should have been made to serve the full term in prison to serve as a deterrent to others."
However, another member of the public disagreed, saying, "I think the judge was fair. Ola is still young and has the opportunity to turn his life around. Hopefully, this will be a wake-up call for him to stay away from crime in the future."
This case is yet another reminder of the need for Nigerians to be vigilant and take necessary measures to secure their properties. With cases of theft and burglary on the rise in many parts of the country, it is important for individuals and communities to work together to prevent these crimes from happening.
While the police and the judiciary have a crucial role to play in ensuring that criminals are brought to justice, it is also up to individuals to take responsibility for their own safety and the security of their belongings.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. By taking simple measures such as installing security cameras, securing doors and windows, and keeping valuables out of sight, Nigerians can help to reduce the incidence of theft and burglary in their communities.
In the meantime, the case of Philip Ola serves as a reminder that crime does not pay. While he may have been given an option of paying a fine, the fact remains that he will spend the next nine months of his life behind bars.
Hopefully, this experience will serve as a wake-up call for him and other young people who may be tempted to engage in criminal activities. As for Ikechi, he can take comfort in the fact that justice has been served, and his stolen property has been recovered.