Court Orders Deaf, Dumb Convict To Be Given 14 Strokes Of Cane For Stealing N10,000

courtA Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja,on Friday ordered that a 15-year-old deaf and dumb boy, be given 14 strokes of the cane, for stealing N10,000.

The convict, a primary school pupil, was arraigned by the police before Chief Magistrate Hadiza Dodo, on a two-count charge of house breaking and theft.

Dodo sentenced the minor, after the First Information Report (FIR) was read and translated to him by his father.

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“Agreed, the convict is handicapped. But that would not stop the court from punishing him, in order to serve as a deterrent to others that use their conditions as an advantage to commit crime.

“The convict is hereby, sentenced to 14 strokes of the cane and also to sweep the court premises, under the supervisor of the prosecutor, Cpl Mohammed.

“The accused is also to pay the sum of N5,000 as compensation to the complainant before his release”, she ordered.

The order of the Magistrate was carried out by the prosecutor in the court’s premises.

The prosecutor, Cpl Umar Mohammed, had told the court that the convict, on Feb.4, broke into the house of one Eluwan Bala, and stole a bundle of brocade material, a nokia phone and N10,000.

Mohammed also stated that during interrogation, the convict admitted to committing the crime.

The prosecutor said the act contravened provisions of section 346 and 286 of the Penal Code. (NAN)