A chief magistrate’s court in Kaduna has sentenced 24-year-old Edward Williams to 12 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to stealing 12 plastic chairs worth N224,000.
Williams, a resident of Ungwan Yelwa Television in Kaduna, was convicted on Wednesday for criminal trespass and theft. The court’s ruling came after Williams begged for leniency, which the magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, took into consideration.
Magistrate Emmanuel explained that the punishment would have been more severe if the defendant had not admitted to the crime. He noted that Williams’ guilty plea had saved the court time and resources in avoiding a lengthy trial.
The prosecution, led by Chidi Leo, outlined that on October 29, 2023, the complainant, Sarah Nehemiah from Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, reported the crime to the Sabon Police Station. According to the prosecutor, Williams entered the complainant’s shop at about 6 a.m. by breaking into the ceiling and stole the 12 plastic chairs valued at N224,000.
Leo further revealed that a security guard caught Williams at the scene and handed him over to the police. During the investigation, the stolen items were recovered from the defendant.
Williams’ guilty plea helped reduce his sentence, but the court remains firm on the consequences for his criminal actions.