By: Joseph A. Adudu, December 19, 2022
The Grade 1 Area Court Bukuru, Presided over by Hon. Hycinth Dolnaan on Monday sentenced a 20 years old Gabriel Orupou to 2 years in prison with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira for destroying a Campaign Billboard belonging to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) along Zaramaganda, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
As contained in the Police First Information Report (FIR), Orupou was arraigned for Offences bordering on Criminal Conspiracy and Mischief contrary to sections 59 and 313 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law.
According to the Police FIR, one, Hon. Emmanuel Tuwan reported to the Anglo Jos Division of the Nigerian Police on 14th December, 2022 that Gabriel Orupou with 3 others who are still at large conspired and destroyed Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Billboard mounted by Chief Kefas Rapshir (also known as Kefiano) along Zaramaganda Road Jos, valued One Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira, thereby committing and offence contrary to the above mentioned sections of the Penal Code Law.
The sentencing of Orupou on Monday followed his conviction on Friday last week by the Court after he pleaded guilty to the Complaint read out to him from the Police FIR by the Police Prosecutor, Martina Bitrus.
Consequently, the court adjourned until today, Monday 19th December 2022 for sentencing.
When the case was called on Monday, the convict who had no legal representation pleaded for mercy being a first offender adding that he was hired and paid the sum of two Thousand Naira by Musa, Bash and Danlami (who were still at large as at the time of the court verdict) to carry out the nefarious act.
Having confirmed by the Police to have no record of previous conviction, Hon. Dolnaan held that being a first offender, who also did not waste the time of the court, deserved leniency. "He is herby sentenced to the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira or two years imprisonment".
On the application by the Prosecution for compensation of the sum of One, Million One Hundred Thousand Naira for the destroyed Billboard, the court, evocked section 332 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Plateau State 2017 and section 40 of the Penal Code Law and awarded the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira or six months imprisonment in damages for the destruction of the Billboard. This followed the Convict's cry that he had no means of paying the sum requested by the Prosecution.
Fielding questions from journalists after court session, a private Legal Practitioner who is also the Legal Adviser of the PDP, Bassa Local Government Area Chapter as well Secretary, Legal sub-committee, Atiku/Mutfwang Campaign Council Plateau State, John Amamah Esq stated that the development was good for democracy, more so that it is a period where some politicians who have nothing to offer the people have resolved to adopt violence as means of securing political offices.
Amamah hailed the Nigerian Police for rising to the occasion and doing the needful most especially at this time that thuggery and violence are said to be major factors threatening the 2023 general elections in particular and our democracy in general noting that the judgment would surely served as deterrent to all those young ones who readily give themselves to be used by politicians for criminal acts during elections to know that there are serious consequences for such acts.
John Amamah Esq
He further commended the judiciary for sustaining its stance as a strong pillar upon which democracy stands. The judiciary, according to the Legal Practitioner has continued to carry out its duties despite threats and intimidations by enemies of democracy.
Amamah also advised that rather than employing services of thugs against Political opponents, politicians should focused on issue based campaigns.
He commended the PDP for seeking legal redress on the issue under referenced rather than equally employing uncivilized and crude methods to express its grievance.
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