According to the JAMB’s weekly bulletin published on Monday, a contract worker at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been sentenced to six months in jail by Magistrate Court 2 in Kado, Life Camp, Abuja
The worker, Emmanuel Odey, was found guilty of stealing an HP laptop belonging to the board.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, at the board’s FCT Zonal Office in Abuja, in violation of Section 287-289 of the Penal Code, leading to the charges against him.
The bulletin, approved by the board’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, reported that Odey, who worked as a cleaner at the FCT Zonal Office, admitted in court to stealing the HP laptop valued at N350,000.
He was said to have tearfully confessed that he committed the theft to cover his expired house rent.
Despite pleading for leniency and attributing his actions to the influence of the devil, he acknowledged acting alone and requested a second chance.
Following thorough questioning, the Senior Magistrate, Mr. Egbe Joshua, took into account that the defendant was a first-time offender, displayed remorse, did not waste the court’s time, and recognized youthful exuberance as a possible factor in the crime.
Under Section 112(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the Senior Magistrate conducted a summary trial, finding the defendant guilty and sentencing him to six months in prison.
Alternatively, he has the option to pay a fine of N5,000:00.
The board mentioned that in its efforts to unravel the circumstances behind the missing HP laptop, it established an investigative team led by Superintendent of Police, Joy Abuma.
This team’s meticulous investigation led to the apprehension of the defendant, who eventually confessed to hiding the laptop in his sister’s residence.
