A Magistrates’ Court in Jos has sentenced a 32-year-old trader, Chijioke Chinedu, to one year in prison for defrauding a man of four car tyres.
Presiding Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos handed down the sentence after Chinedu pleaded guilty to the charge. However, the court granted him the option of a N20,000 fine to reduce his sentence to six months.
Additionally, the convict was ordered to compensate the victim with N108,000 or face an additional six months in prison if he failed to pay.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Gokwat, the case was reported on February 20 at the ‘A’ Division Police Station by the complainant, Oladimeji Kashim.
Gokwat told the court that Chinedu was given N109,000 to purchase four car tyres but absconded and used the money for personal expenses.
The prosecution argued that the trader’s actions violated the Plateau Penal Code Law. The court’s verdict is expected to serve as a deterrent against fraudulent activities in the state.
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