A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old tricycle mechanic, Tukura Peteri, to six months imprisonment for stealing 69 pieces of tricycle engines
Peteri had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft, punishable under Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The Judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, however, gave the convict N18,000 option of fine.
He also ordered the convict to pay N2. 5 million compensation to the owners of the stolen items.
Prosecutor Taiye Hassan had told the court that the matter was reported by one Saidu Biu, a vehicle inspection officer to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Aug. 21.
He said that the convict trespassed into the National Stadium to steal 69 engines from seized tricycles.
He noted that apart from the 69 pieces earlier stolen by the convict, other tricycle engines were recovered in his possession.
“During police investigations the convict confessed to have sold the 69 pieces of the tricycle engines at N2. 5 million.
“After a thorough search was conducted on the convict’s workshop, some other engines which cost are yet to be valued were recovered from his possession.’’ he said.
