An Area Court in Jos on Wednesday sentenced a carpenter, Stephen Yusuf, to three months’ imprisonment for defrauding a businesswoman of ₦72,000.
The judge, Mrs Shawomi Bokkos, handed down the sentence after Yusuf pleaded guilty to Criminal Breach of Trust and asked for leniency.
Bokkos, however, gave him the option of paying a ₦20,000 fine instead of serving the prison term.
She also ordered Yusuf to pay ₦190,000 in compensation to the complainant or serve an additional six months in jail if he fails to pay.
Earlier, police prosecutor Insp. Daniel Damulak informed the court that the case was reported at the ‘B’ Division Police Station on April 28 by Ms Phoebe Joel.
Damulak said the complainant gave Yusuf ₦72,000 to construct a cage for chickens and goats, but he failed to carry out the work.
The prosecutor added that during investigation, Yusuf admitted to converting the money for personal use.
He said the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
(NAN)