Mr Ebuka Elechukwu has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for buying stolen cell phones by a Gudu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday.
The Judge, Umar Kagarko, however, gave the convict an option of N4,000 fine.
Elechukwu had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of theft and mischief.
Elechukwu and Edwin Sunday were arraigned for allegedly buying stolen cell phones from one Emeka Emmanuel of Piga Sawa area of Apo, FCT.
The prosecutor, John Ijagbemi, had told the court that one Sulaiman Sadiq of Angwar Hausawa in Garki, FCT, reported a case of theft and mischief at the Garki Police Station.
Ijagbemi said that during investigation, it was discovered that Emmanuel stole a Nokia 202 phone model worth N10,000 and sold it to Elechukwu at N1,500.
He said a Techno P5 model valued N15,000 and one Sicho phone worth N6,000 were also sold to Sunday at N8,500.
The prosecutor told the court that the two accused were aware that the cell phones were stolen.
Elechukwu pleaded guilty to the offences, while the second accused, Sunday, pleaded not guilty and he was granted N20,000 bail with a surety, who must reside within the FCT.
The case was adjourned till Feb. 22 for hearing.