Maid jailed 18 months for stealing N10,000

A Chief Magistrates Court sitting at Karu, Abuja has sentenced a 21-year-old house maid, Elizabeth Linus, to 18 months’ imprisonment without an option of fine for an offence.

The convict has been on trial since May 13, 2013.
She was accused of stealing N10,000 belonging to her boss, Mrs Elizabeth Ordia of Block 9, Flat 15, Lapai Street, Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
The maid also stole a United Bank Africa (UBA) withdrawal slip and attempted to withdraw N20,000 from a branch of the bank at Maraba in Nasarawa State.
According to her, Linus would have succeeded in withdrawing the money if not for the inconsistency in her signature which she had forged.
This led to the maid’s arrest. Delivering his judgement, the presiding judge, Hon. A. O. Oyeyipo, said he had evaluated the evidence and testimony which the prosecution led by Sergeant Mohammed Garba presented before the court on the matter.
The judge added that he had come to the conclusion that Linus was guilty.
Garba said that the most disturbing aspect of the matter was the maid, who was entrusted with the care of the home, could take advantage of her position to commit such act.
The plea of the defence counsel that the court should tamper justice with mercy and forgive her because she was remorseful did not move the judge.
“Even though the convict is a first time offender and may have regretted her act, however, this type of act must be punished to serve as deterrent to other young people who may be contemplating such act,” Garba ruled