A Kaduna magistrates’ court has sentenced a 32-year-old man, Kenneth James, to 18 months’ imprisonment for stealing jewellery valued at N860,000 belonging to his girlfriend.
James was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of stealing before Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel.
The court, however, gave him the option of paying a N50,000 fine in place of the prison term.
The magistrate also ordered the convict to refund N860,000 to the complainant, Miss Vivian Gideon, warning that he would serve an additional 10 months in prison if he failed to repay the money.
Emmanuel further cautioned James against committing further offences after serving his sentence, urging him to turn a new leaf and abide by the law.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that Gideon reported the incident at Gabasawa Police Station on October 5, 2026.
Leo said James, who was the complainant’s boyfriend, allegedly stole her gold earrings and necklace while she was away on a trip.
According to the prosecutor, the convict confessed during police investigations that he had sold the stolen jewellery.
Leo said the offence contravened the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.
The court subsequently sentenced James after he admitted to the charge.
