A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, arraigned one James Oforma on two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.
The Prosecutor, Ndidi Ukaoha, told the court that the offence was committed sometime in February in Tudunwada Village, noting that the complainant, Obinna John, gave his HTC phone to the convict to sell and bring the proceeds to him.
“The convict, a resident of Tudunwada Village, Abuja, deceived John of the same address and collected the HTC Phone from him.
“The convict sold the phone and disappeared with the money without the consent of the owner to unknown destination.
“During police investigation, the convict confessed committing the crime which contravened Sections 312 and 309 of the Penal Code,” the prosecutor added.
Oforma, a 25-year-old applicant begged the court not to send him to jail because the proceeds of the crime was spent on charity.
The convict, who pleaded guilty, said “Please sir, tamper justice with mercy, don’t send me to jail because I sold the phone for N8, 000 and use the money to save someone’s life.
“I gave the money to someone who was completely destitute. I am so sorry for what I did; I promise to pay him the N8, 000,” Oforma pleaded.
The presiding officer, Mr. Garba Ogbede, sentenced Oforma to one month in prison for absconding with his friend’s phone.
He warned the convict to desist from committing crime, urging the court to award the complainant N8, 000 as compensation.
Ogbede, however, gave the convict an option of N5, 000 fine, and ordered him to pay the complainant, Obinna John, N8, 000 as restitution.
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