Taraba: Man sentenced to 2 years for stealing airport equipment

The Taraba State High Court sitting in Jalingo on Tuesday, convicted Festus Edward of Jauroyinu in Ardo Kola local Government area to a jail term of two and half years with an option of N250,000 fine.

Delivering judgement in a criminal case No. TRSJ/2C/2022, Justice Joel Agya, Chief Judge (C-J) of the State said that Edward was convicted for theft and criminal conspiracy.

Agya recalled that the case between Taraba State Versus Festus Edward, Ibrahim Malam-Gaji, Abdurahaman Ahmed and Yahaya Adamu was brought to the court on Jan. 15, 2022.

He said that the four accused persons were charged for theft, criminal conspiracy and vandalism of some parts of the Danbaba Suntai Airport Jalingo, stealing of 15 iron poles and attempting to convey same in a Mitsubishi Van.

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He said that the four accused persons, who were arrested by the police on Oct. 30, 2021 also caused vandalism of 20 pieces of airfield lightening cables meant for the airport runway with the length of 4000m, valued at N61 million.

Agya held that the earlier extra judicial confession by Edward to the police was willingly and unequivocal that the removal of iron poles from the airport was planned and executed between him and two of his accomplices.

The judge said that the conviction was in accordance with Section 195 (22) of the Evidence Act 2011 as amended and Section 97 (2) 327 and 287 of the Penal Code Laws of Taraba.

While discharging and aquiting second, third and fourth defendents, Agya held that they were victims of circumstances as the prosecution Councel failed to establish theft and criminal conspiracy against them.

He however, held that the determination of conviction on the first defendant was built on three ingredients; of voluntary confession, substantial evidence and evidence of the eye witnesses.

The C-J said that the first defendant had confessed to having an agreement with Luka Peter and Monday Frances, who were both at large, to steal the iron poles.

Agya also said that the Police and the Airport Manager, who arrested the first defendant presented the 15 iron poles as evidence to the court, adding that the same witnesses testified of arresting the first defendant while attempting to move the items away.

The C-J however, stated that in his consideration of the earlier plea by the Councel to first defendant for him to temper justice with mercy, he therefore, sentenced the first defendant of two count charges of Criminal Conspiracy for six months and Theft for two years.

Councel to Second, Third and Fourth defendants, Bilyaminu Bakoji, commended the judgement.

Mustapha Adam, Deputy Director, Citizen’s Rights and a member of the prosecution Councel, also commended the judgement, describing it as worthwhile.

(NAN)