A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State on Thursday sentenced a 29-year-old, Nanribet Abednego, to eight months imprisonment for duping his business partner of N644,400.
Abednego, who is also a farmer and resident of Mangu in Plateau, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
In his guilty plea, the accused had begged for leniency.
The Judge, Mr Ibrahim Shekarau, who handed down the verdict, however, gave him an option of N9,000 fine.
Shekarau also ordered the convict to pay N645,500 to the complainant as cost of manure and cash given to him.
Earlier, Police Prosecutor Hamen Donald told the court that the complainant, Victoria Ayuba of New Karu, Nasarawa State, reported the incident at the `A’ Police Division, Mararaba, on March 28 at 2.00 p.m.
Donald said the complainant had alleged that the accused breached the agreement between them and cheated her.
“On March 3, the complainant entrusted 98 bags of manure valued at N372,400 and N272,000 to the accused for the purchase Irish potatoes and maize amounting to N644,400.
“Abednego, with the intent of cheating the complainant, did not purchase the items or return the manure.
“Rather, he converted the money to personal use and absconded until he was traced and arrested in Plateau,” Donald said.
The offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.(NAN)