A judge at the Grade I Area Court, Abubakar Sadiq, sitting in Kabusa, Abuja, on Thursday freed a 26-year-old man, Sulaityo John charged with stealing five tubers of sweet potatoes inside a church.
John, who resides in Durumi l, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to the charge, saying he was hungry when he stole the potatoes.
The judge said: ”having seen the small quantity of the sweet potatoes involved, the court will be lenient on you.
“You are, hereby, set free and warned never to commit such act again.
“Next time if such a criminal charge is brought before the court against you again, serious action will be taken on you.
“You are also henceforth, warned never to visit the church premises again.”
The prosecutor, Mr O.S. Osho said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.
Osho told the court that the defendant stole the five tubers of sweet potatoes from the church premises.
He explained that during police investigation, the defendant had confessed to committing the crime.
