Justice S.C Amadi of the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, has convicted and sentenced a former staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Hussaini Abubakar, to one year in prison with N150,000 option of fine, for stealing.
A press statement by EFCC acting Head, media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, Thursday in Abuja, said the offence is contrary to Section 383 (1) and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code CAP 37 vol. II Laws of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999.
He said, “The defendant was arraigned by the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Office on a three-count charge, bordering on stealing.”According to him, “Count One of the charge reads: “That you,Hussaina Abubakar, in 2017 at Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division did fraudulently steal an exhibit from the Forensic Section of EFCC, an exhibit which you knew was recovered in the course of investigation to wit: One Lenevo S60-A (daul sim) with serial number: HBOGOHAQ with IME slot number: 1-866059026043140, worth N18,000, belonging to one Chuku Nelson Nyegam and thereby committed an offence.”
The spokesperson said the defendant pleaded guilty to all the charges, prompting the Prosecuting Counsel, N . A. Dodo to urge the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
However, Defence Counsel, M. M Suleiman, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, having been found to be a first time offender and with no previous conviction record, and taking into consideration that the defendant is an orphan, a married man and a father of a 15-months baby and a bread winner for his family.
