BY UJU MBANUSI

LAGOS — The Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Thursday, sentenced a man to two hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to stealing.

Vanguard  gathered that the man simply  identified as Patrick committed the offence, Wednesday  at about 6:30 am, at the premises of a transport company located around Jibowu-Yaba area of Lagos.

The convict on community service

An eye witness to the crime, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that the man walked into the booking section of the transport company when travellers were busy making bookings, pretending he was travelling.

After he surveyed the place to asserting no one suspected him, he went straight to pick a young man’s travelling bag while the owner was at the counter paying for his trip.

The accused, after taking the  bag attempted to get away when he was accosted by one of the security officers.

The convict leaving the court room

According to the eyewitness, “the security officer accosted him as he made to leave the premises with the bag. The convict initially argued that the bag belonged to him. Another security officer who saw him from one of the CCTVs mounted at strategic locations within the premises supported his colleague.

“Not able to deny the accusation and seeing the angry travellers that had gathered to lynch him, the convict confessed to the crime, pleading for mercy.”

Vanguard also gathered that he was taken to Sabo Police station where he made further confession.