Court cautions, discharges man for pleading ignorance

An Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday, cautioned and discharged Sai’du Aljamdu , 28, of Suleja, Niger State, who was arraigned for alleged criminal trespass and attempt to commit a crime.

The Police Prosecutor, Corporal Emmanuel Adiku, told the court that on August 1, Ferdinard Anok of Global Services attached to St. Matthews Anglican Church, Maitama, reported the case at the Maitama Police Station.

Adiku said the accused at about 11. 00 pm on that same day, jumped through the church fence into the premises and tried to commit an offence before he was sighted by the security men attached to the church.

He said the accused attempted to escape but was later apprehended, adding that the offence contravened section 348 and 95 of the Penal Code.

Saidu pleaded guilty to the charges, but told the court that he never had any criminal intentions.

He also said that he did not know that jumping through the fence would get him into the church premises.

“I did not even know it was the church that I jumped into, it was when the security men started chasing me that I realised that I was in a church compound.’’

Chief Magistrate Josephine Obanor discharged and cautioned Saidu to be of good behaviour and never to trespass into people’s premises as she would have no mercy on him if he appears in her court again. (NAN)