A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 32-year-old trader, Chijioke Chinedu, to one year in prison for committing fraud.
The magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, delivered a summary judgment after the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
The court, however, offered the option of a N20,000 fine in place of six months of the sentence.
Additionally, the court ordered Chinedu to pay N108,000 in compensation to the victim.
Failure to pay the compensation would result in an extra six-month jail term.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Gokwat, the case was reported on February 20 by the complainant, Oladimeji Kashim, at the “A” Division Police Station. Gokwat said Chinedu received N109,000 to purchase four car tyres but diverted the money for personal use and failed to deliver the goods.