I sold his car to save my son’s life, convict tells court

A convict, Ahmed Abubakar of no fixed address, has confessed to criminally selling another man’s car in order to save his son’s life. Abubakar, a driver, confessed to the charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery and misappropriation preferred against him by a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment with an option of N7, 000 fine by the court, presided over by Alhaji Umar Kargako. The judge also ordered the convicted to pay the sum of N550, 000 as compensation to the complainant.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Mohammed Garba, told the court that the complainant, one Victor Ndu of Kaduna Street, Chika, Lugbe, Abuja, reported the matter at Garki Police Station sometime in April 2014.

He said that the complainant entrusted his car, A Golf 3 saloon car with Reg. no RSH 698 TA, custom colour, valued at N550, 000 to the convict.

He said that it was an agreement between both parties for the convict to be remitting the sum of N15, 000 to him (the complainant) every weekend.

The prosecutor said that instead, Abubakar criminally took the car to Gombe where he sold it to one Bamabo Abba at the rate of N400, 000 with forged vehicle documents.

He said that during police investigations, the convict admitted committing the crime. He said that the offences are contrary to sections 312, 364 and 389 of the Penal Code.

The defence counsel, from the Legal Aid Council, Moneke Azukike pleaded for mercy of the court, saying that sending the convict to prison would bring untold hardship to his family.

He prayed the judge to be lenient in his judgment as the convict, who admitted his crime, was remorseful and did not waste the time of the court.