Kaduna Magistrates’ Court Sentences Teenager to 10 Strokes of the Cane for Theft of Electrical Cables Valued at N450,000
In a recent ruling delivered on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel handed down a sentence of 10 strokes of the cane to an 18-year-old teenager found guilty of breaking into a residential property and stealing electrical cables valued at N450,000.
The convicted youth, a resident of Kinkinau in Kaduna, had pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him, prompting the court to deliver the judgment without a protracted trial.
Magistrate Emmanuel explained that the relatively light sentence was imposed as a form of leniency in recognition of the accused’s guilty plea, which saved the court considerable time and resources. He emphasized that the punishment, while mild, was intended to serve as a warning and deterrent to others who might contemplate similar criminal activities.
The magistrate expressed hope that the decision would encourage respect for the law among youths and reduce the incidence of such property crimes in the community.
In addition to corporal punishment, the court ordered that the stolen electrical cables be returned to their rightful owner, Mr. Sadiq Yusuf, the complainant in the case. This restitution underscores the court’s commitment to restoring the victim’s property and rights.
The case was brought before the court following an incident that occurred on May 17, 2025, in the Ungwan Sarki area of Kaduna.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, the teenager and an accomplice identified as Mohammed Sani, who remains at large, unlawfully entered Mr. Yusuf’s home and stole electrical cables valued at N450,000.
The recovery of the stolen goods and the subsequent arrest of the convict were facilitated by the vigilance of a neighbor who spotted the suspect leaving the property with the stolen items and promptly reported the matter to law enforcement authorities.
Inspector Leo informed the court that the charges were filed under the provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code of 2017, which criminalizes theft and related offences. He presented evidence to support the prosecution’s case, leading to the teenager’s admission of guilt and conviction.
This ruling highlights the ongoing efforts by the Kaduna State judicial system to enforce the law and maintain public order through appropriate penalties for criminal conduct. It also reflects the importance of community involvement in crime detection and prevention, as demonstrated by the neighbor’s crucial role in identifying and reporting the suspect.