A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced 41-year-old car dealer, Kelechukwu Okoro, to one year in prison for stealing two cars valued at N5.9 million.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel found Okoro guilty of selling a Honda CR-V and Toyota Camry and keeping the proceeds for himself. The court ruled without the option of a fine, stating that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others engaged in similar criminal activities.
Additionally, the magistrate ordered Okoro to pay N5.9 million in restitution to the complainant, Felix Courage, representing the total value of the vehicles. Failure to do so will result in an additional two-year prison term.
Prosecutor Inspector Chidi Leo told the court that in June, Okoro sold the unregistered cars, valued at N3.2 million and N2.7 million, but did not transfer the money to the complainant’s account. Afterward, he avoided contact with Courage, leading to the charges under the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.
