A Zuba Upper Area Court on Tuesday ordered that a 36-year old, painter Peter Martine, be remanded in a correctional centre for his inability to pay N1,000 fine.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Martine of Sabori 1 Dei-Dei, Abuja, who pleaded guilty to cheating a Bet9ja operator, was ordered to pay a fine of N 1,000.
Following Martine’s inability to pay the fine, Umar Angulu sent him to Suleja correctional centre.
Martine, in tears begged the court for leniency.
“I am so sorry sir, please don’t send me to prison, because I don’t have any relative here in Abuja; I will make effort to pay her the money.
“Please sir forgive me, I will not commit any offence again,” he said.
Angulu also ordered Martine to pay 20,000 as compensation to the complainant.
Angulu said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigour of protracted prosecution.
He also warned the convict to be good citizen and of good behaviour.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Chinedu Ogada told the court that on Sept. 5, the complainant, Ameh Faith of opposite L.E.A primary Sabori residential district Dei-Dei, Abuja, reported the matter at Gwagwa Police Station.
Ogada said that on Sept.4 at about 5pm Martine intentionally entered the complainant’ Bet9ja shop at Sabori II Dei-dei Abuja to play games.
He told the court that Martine criminally induced the complainant and played bet worth N 20,000 and did not pay.
Ogada said Martine attempted to escape but he was caught and handed over to the police.
He said during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement and all efforts made to recover the money failed.
Ogada said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 322 of the Penal Code.
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