A 39-year old company driver, Mr. Jonah Ehiwe, has been arrested for allegedly stealing company’s property to buy N100 bread at Bola Jegede Close in Ajao Estate, Lagos.
The police alleged that Mr. Ehiwe stole a cable belonging to the hotel and was caught in the act by the security men on duty. He was then handed over to the police at Ajao Estate for prosecution for the offence.
However, the suspect informed the police that he was employed as a driver and had not been paid. He said that he had gone to the management to borrow money to buy food, so that when they want to pay his salary it can be deducted from it but they refused. He explained that he saw the cable and decided to take to sell it as scrap in order to buy bread. He said they arrested him and claimed that he stole it.
It was gathered that the police attempted to intervene since the item was recovered but the management insisted that Ehiwe must be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other staff who might want to try such.
He was charged before Isolo Magistrates court for stealing and he pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail and remanded in prison custody to perfect his bail condition.
On the adjourned date, Ehiwe changed his position and pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor, Mr. Oje Uagbale, presented the facts before the court and asked the court to sentence him accordingly.
During the session, Mr. Ehiwe informed the court about his pitiable condition after he was employed by the complainant who did not pay his salary. He narrated how he even asked them to lend him money to buy bread in order to have strength to work but they refused.
He said he then saw the cable on the floor, picked it to sell as scrap before the security men arrested and handed him over to the police.
P.M.Express confirmed that his narration attracted sympathy in the court room as litigants expressed pity about his situation.
However, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Teluwo, found him guilty as charged, but discharged and released him from prison custody and he was allowed to go home.
