A Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has sentenced a dispatch rider, Shamsu Sani, to 18 months in prison after he was found guilty of absconding with his employer’s goods valued at N3.5 million. Senior Magistrate Okpe Ibrahim delivered the sentence on Thursday, following Sani's guilty plea to charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating by personation, and theft.
The magistrate emphasized that the sentence would have been more severe had Sani not spared the court the ordeal of a prolonged trial. Sani, 28, who resides in Ruga village, Wuye, Abuja, had earlier pleaded for leniency.
Prosecutor Donatus Abah informed the court that the management of Hadizah’s Fabrics, the company Sani worked for, reported the incident to the FCT Commissioner of Police via a petition on May 16. According to Abah, Sani was entrusted with delivering goods worth N3.5 million to a customer but instead sold the items to unknown buyers, keeping the proceeds for himself before absconding.
Despite the efforts of the police, the goods could not be recovered, and Sani made a confessional statement during the investigation. The prosecutor noted that Sani's actions violated Sections 322, 324, and 288 of the Penal Code law.
Magistrate Ibrahim ruled out the option of a fine, thereby ensuring that Sani serves the full term of his sentence.
