Abuja – A 40-year-old man, Silas Esong, was on Monday sentenced to three months in prison by an Abuja Chief Magistrates` Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, for breach of trust.

Esong, a taxi driver, who resides in Lugbe, was convicted on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and mischief.

Mr Uchenna Richard of Lugbe Zone 1, Abuja, on April 26, accused the convict of converting his Nissan Sunny saloon car to his personal use.

Police prosecutor Jeremiah Elijah, said that since January when the complainant entrusted the convict with his taxi, he had not seen him.

Elijah said the vehicle was later recovered from the convict on April 20 by the police in Gboko Local Government area of Benue.

The prosecutor said the vehicle was in bad shape when it was recovered, adding that the convict was owing the complainant N174,000 being the amount he would have remitted for the period.

Elijah said the convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was not able to give a satisfactory account of his action during interrogation.

Magistrate Omolola Oladipo sentenced him to three months in prison for criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and mischief.

She, however, gave the convict an option to pay N2,500 fine and directed that he should pay N174,000 as compensation to Richard or “serve three months in prison if he fails to pay the debt’’. (NAN)