An Abuja magistrate court has handed down an unusual sentence to a man convicted of stealing electrical cables worth ₦2 million from a mosque in Wuse II. Instead of a jail term or fine, the court ordered him to spend one month sweeping the mosque premises as part of his punishment.
The incident occurred in Wuse II, one of Abuja’s busy business and residential districts. According to court records, the convict was found guilty of breaking into the mosque and making away with electrical cables installed within the compound. The theft was discovered after worshippers noticed that parts of the mosque’s lighting and electrical system had been tampered with.
Cable theft has become a recurring problem in Abuja and other Nigerian cities, often disrupting public facilities, streetlights, and places of worship. The stolen materials are usually sold to scrap dealers, making it a quick but illegal source of income for offenders. In this case, the value of the cables was estimated at ₦2 million.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence linking the defendant to the crime. The court found him guilty but opted for a non-custodial sentence. Rather than sending him to prison, the magistrate ruled that he should serve one month sweeping and cleaning the mosque where he committed the offence.
The judge explained that the sentence was meant to serve as both punishment and restitution. By requiring the convict to work at the mosque, the court aimed to instill a sense of responsibility and give him the chance to give back to the community he wronged. It also keeps the offender out of the congested prison system for a minor, non-violent offence….See More
