Court jails security man for stealing day-old chicks

A Magistrates’ Court in Jos has sentenced a 36-year-old security man, Justice Terfa, to 18 months in prison for defrauding a woman of 30 day-old chicks and money meant for their feeding.

Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos convicted and sentenced Terfa on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to the charge. The court gave him an option of a ₦30,000 fine or six months in prison, in addition to a ₦500,000 compensation to the victim. Failure to pay the compensation will result in an additional one-year jail term.

Prosecutor Inspector Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported at the Anglo-Jos Police Station on December 21, 2024, by the complainant, Anthonia Osirho.

According to Gokwat, the complainant entrusted Terfa with 30 day-old chicks and ₦300,000 for feeding and medication, intending to rear them for the Christmas season. However, Terfa sold 29 of the birds and diverted the money for personal use.