Anti-Corruption Fight - Abuja Court Sentences 21 Year Old Bus Conductor To 18 Months In Prison For Stealing Handset!

In what could be termed 'operation uproot corruption from the grass-root', an Abuja court on Tuesday August 25th, sentenced a 21 year old bus conductor to 18 months in prison for stealing a Nokia phone worth =N=11,000. 

The accused identified as Shedrach Ezekiel from Mararaba, stole the phone from the bag of one Luka Ruth at Brother Plaza, Mararaba; on getting caught, he threw the phone to his accomplice, now at large. 

Ezekiel, who was first arraigned on August 14, told the court that he committed the offence due to unemployment.  “I don’t have anybody here, I came to this town to look for job but it has not been easy for me.” he said. 

On his part, the presiding Judge, Albert Maga, said the accused failed to give the Court tangible reason(s) on why he should not be punished for the offence, adding that the sentence would serve as deterrent to other offenders of like  (criminal) minds.

Maga however gave the convict an option of =N=4, 000 fine and ordered him to pay the complainant =N=11, 000 being compensation for the stolen phone.

The Judge's reason "the sentence would serve as deterrent to other offenders of like minds", is highly commendable, and is needed if Nigeria means to combat and bring corruption to its lowest minimum. 

However, without a formal structure that provides lasting solution (like youth empowerment and positive engagement through employments, and job creation), to societal problems like this case in place, sentencing delinquents, is not  just enough to curb corruption. 

Also coming at the heels of corruption allegations up to the tune of billions of $$$ brought against some ex- top government officials, and the 'pace' taken so far to bring these accused persons to book, one can not help but wonder who the much talked about 'anti-corruption fight', is in reality aimed at. 

There is need to apply same speed employed in charging this young man, who stole a handset, due to unemployment, (cause by corruption in the corridors of power) to the cases of ex-top government officials who as we speak ignore summons, and refuse to respond to allegations brought against them.