By Deborah Hassan
A 19-year-old cobbler, Umar Mohammed and his 20-year-old driver counterpart, Umar Lawal, have been handed two years imprisonment by an Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama in Jos, for stealing a phone.
Making the pronouncement on Monday, the Judge, Lawal Suleiman, however, gave them an option of fine of N10, 000 or six months for conspiracy and N40, 000 or 18 months for extortion after they pleaded guilty to the charges.
He said the judgment would serve as deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such act.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Monday Dabit, informed the court that the case was reported at the Nassarawa Gwong Police Station, Jos on Nov. 20 by one Isah Abubakar of Rikkos.
Dabit explained that the convicts met the complainant in his house and forcefully collected his Samsung phone valued at N180, 000.
He added that during police investigation, the phone was recovered and returned to the owner.
The prosecutor said the offense was contrary to Section 59 and 277 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State.