A 30-year- old man from Kuta, Shiroro local government area of Niger state, Mande Zaki, has admitted stealing a tuber of yam because he was hungry beyond bearing.
Zaki stated this on Tuesday during the visit of the Niger state Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik to the Old Correctional Centre Minna.
Reviewing cases of awaiting trial at the facility, the Chief Judge discovered that Zaki is facing trial for theft and criminal trespass.
When the CJ asked if he stole yams as charged, the accused person said it is true but explained that it was one yam he stole because of hunger.
“It is true that I stole one yam from the place when I went to search for my goat. This is the first time I am getting involved in this kind of problem. I have never stole anything before. I was hungry and this pushed me to steal the yam, please have mercy on me,” he pleaded.
On leniency and compassionate grounds, the Chief Judge referred the case to Chief Magistrate Court Kuta for summary trial.
The presiding Chief Magistrate, Aishatu Loko Ibrahim, based on the directive of the Chief Judge tried Zaki summarily on two count charges of theft and criminal trespass after pleading guilty to the offences.
He was sentenced to a fine of N2, 000 or one month jail on count one while he is to pay a fine of N1, 000 or one month jail.
The sentence, according to the Chief Magistrate will run concurrently.
