A minor was on Thursday sentenced to 12 strokes of the cane by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for trespass and theft.
The minor was convicted for trespassing into Okwuelle Block Industry belonging to one Christian Nnamdi of Karu Site, Abuja and stealing 10 litres of diesel worth N8,000
The Police Prosecutor, PC Francis Udofia, told the court that the minor committed the offence on April 26 and that the item was recovered from him.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency.
“I stole the item because I was looking for money to pay my school fees. I don’t have anybody to take care of me; I am asking the court to forgive me.
I am too young to go to prison,’’ the minor pleaded.
Magistrate Samuel Idiareh, however, sentenced the convict to 12 strokes of the cane.
“This is in view of the fact that the convict is shown to be a minor of 13 years old,’’ Idiareh said.