By CHRISTY DIKE

A Dutse Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Monday sentenced a businessman, Ismail Tasiu, to 250 days in a correctional centre for robbery.

Tasiu, 32, who resides in Zaria, Kaduna State, was charged with criminal conspiracy and robbery.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences.

The Prosecutor, Mr Adama Musa, told the court that Tasiu committed the offences on July 14.

Musa said a team of police officers, led by ASP Apeh Sunday, attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Nigeria Police in Abuja arrested the defendant.

He said the team acted on credible information about a syndicate allegedly snatching motorcycles within Abuja and its environs.

Musa said investigations revealed that the defendant and others still at large conspired to steal five motorcycles from their owners.

He said the stolen motorcycles were allegedly sold to one Adamu Aliyu, a businessman attached to AYM Filling Station, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The prosecutor said Aliyu was also at large.

Musa also informed the court that a Honda Accord vehicle was recovered from the defendant during police investigations.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 298 of the Penal Code Law.

The Defence Counsel, Mr J.A. Mustapha, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Mustapha told the court that the defendant was a first-time offender and was remorseful for his actions.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Ilela, gave the defendant the option of paying N150,000 for each offence or serving 250 days in a correctional centre.

The court also ordered that the recovered vehicle be auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the government. (NAN)