Abuja, FCT – April 10, 2025 – Two labourers, Ezekiel Mandela, 23, and Musa Kennedy, 35, have been sentenced to two weeks of sweeping duties at the Galadimawa Police Station in Abuja after being convicted of stealing an iron rod. The ruling was delivered yesterday by a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Wuse, presided over by Judge Mrs Chioma Abgaza.
The court found the labourers, both employed by Bliss Construction Company, guilty of joint act, mischief, and theft. Judge Abgaza handed down the sentence without the option of a monetary fine, instead ordering the convicts to maintain the cleanliness of the Galadimawa Police Station premises for a period of two weeks, Africa Update reports.
In her pronouncement, Judge Agbaza sternly warned Mandela and Kennedy against future criminal activities and emphasized the importance of good conduct.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okafor, informed the court that the case was reported by one Oladele John of Plot 802, Kaura district, FCT, at the Galadimawa Police Station on April 2nd.
Okafor detailed how the two labourers, on the same day, stole an iron rod valued at N20,000 from the complainant. They proceeded to cut the rod into smaller pieces and were apprehended while attempting to sell the stolen metal.
The prosecution argued that their actions violated Sections 327 (mischief) and 287 (theft) of the Penal Code.
Both Mandela and Kennedy pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and pleaded with the court for leniency, vowing never to repeat such an act. Despite their plea for mercy, Judge Agbaza opted for the non-custodial sentence of community service through maintaining the cleanliness of the police station where their crime was initially reported.
