Guard jailed seven months for stealing 3,960 pieces of fingerlings

A Magistrates’ Court, Kubwa, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 32-year-old guard, Yakubu Hamidu to seven months imprisonment for stealing 3,960 pieces of fingerling fish from his employer.

Hamidu was convicted and sentenced for criminal breach of trust and theft and begged the court for mercy.

The Magistrate, Nneaka Lesley, also ordered Hamidu to pay the complainant, Pius Uduogie, N1.6 million on or before August, 2025.

She warned him to desist from committing crime and be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, John Okpa, told the court that the complainant reported the matter at Byazhin Divisional Headquarters on September 26.

Mr Okpa said that Hamidu was employed as a guard at a fish farm in Chikakore, Kubwa with accommodation for him and his family in January.

He said while the complainant took stock of the fish, it was discovered that 3,960 pieces of fingerlings and big fish were missing in September.

The prosecuting counsel said that the missing fish was valued at N1.6 million, adding that in the course of police investigations, Hamidu confessed to selling 500 pieces to unknown persons.

He added that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 312 and 287 of the Penal Code.

(NAN)