27-year-old in court for stealing N1,800 battery

A 27-year-old man, Moses Paul, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for stealing batteries worth N1, 800.

The police said the theft took place at Game Store Palm, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.

The charge read, “That you, Moses Paul, on November 11, 2013 at about 1100 hours at Game Store Palm Lekki in Eti-Osa LGA within the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal nine pieces of Duracell Alkaline battery value N1, 800 property of Game Store Palms.”

The prosecutor said the offence was punishable under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

After pleading not guilty, the defendant later changed his mind when the magistrate, Mrs A.F Botoku promised to give him “soft landing” if he could tell the truth.

“I can work something out for you or else, I will ask them to take you to Kirikiri; I heard that their food there is very watery,” she said.

Paul, who claimed to be a former worker with a fast food shop, confessed that he indeed took the Duracell Alkaline batteries and hid it in his pocket.

He said, “The truth is that I bought several things from the store.

But unfortunately, I took the batteries and put them in my pocket without paying at the counters.”

The magistrate thereafter sentenced him to sweep about a kilometer of the court’s main road.

She said, “You will sweep from Oloni road to CMS bus-stop.

As a mother, I think that is better, instead of taking you to Kirikiri, where the real criminals are. Next time I see you here, I will sentence you appropriately.”