A Makurdi Upper Area Court, on Monday, sentenced 22-year-old Ordi Akundushima to one month community service, for alleged criminal conspiracy and theft of a N65,000 mobile phone.

 

Delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Mr Vershima Hwande, said that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore found Akundushima guilty.

 

He consequently ordered the convict to refund the sum of N65, 000 to the complainant, Mr Akperan Iorwuese, or purchase a handset worth the same value for him.

 

Hwande thereafter imposed on the the convict one month community service as a deterrent to others in the society.

 

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Rachael Mchiave, had told the court that Iorwuese of Opposite Welfare Quarters, Otukpo Road, Makurdi, reported the case at the ‘B’ Division Police Station, Makurdi, on Feb. 1.

 

She said that the complainant while returning from the FCMB Bank on Katsina-Ala Street Junction on the fateful day stopped to urinate, but was suddenly pounced  on by two unknown men.

 

Mchiave said that the two men, whose names were then unknown, snatched his Infinix Hot 5 handset valued N65,000.

 

The prosecutor stated that the complainant chased the convict and his accomplice on a motorcycle and called for assistance, leading to the apprehension of Akundushima by members of the Community Volunteer Guards.

 

Mchiave stated that while the accomplice having the phone escaped Akundushima was arrested.

 

She said that the offence contravened Sections 97 and 287 of the Penal Code.