In Nasarawa: Court remands tiler for allegedly stealing 10 tubers of yam

"Although I have a job that I am doing presently, but I have not been paid and I was very hungry, so I decided to steal the tubers of yam,’’ the accused told the court.

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada in Nasarawa State, on Friday remanded a tiler, Danladi Joseph, 25, in prison custody for stealing 10 tubers of yam.

Joseph, who resides at Aso Pada, Mararaba was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft.

The accused pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

"I pray the court to have mercy on me. I will never steal again as I have learnt my lesson.

"Although I have a job that I am doing presently, but I have not been paid and I was very hungry, so I decided to steal the tubers of yam,’’ the accused told the court.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, told the court that one Luka Dogo, of Kabayi, Mararaba, lodged a complaint against the accused at the Aso Pada Police Station on Nov. 11.

Adaji said that at about 7p.m. while the complainant was coming back from a meeting, his friend Japhet Oroku informed him that he caught the accused stealing from his farm.

The prosecutor added that the accused was caught with 10 tubers of yam and was taken to the chief palace in Mararaba before he was arrested.

Adaji noted that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, after listening to the prosecutor, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody to enable the police carry out more investigation on the case.

"You are to be remanded in Keffi Prison till Nov. 26, for ruling,’’ Maga ordered.