Post-Express, Lagos, 2 July 1998

Magistrate Threatens to Jail Parents over Children's Behaviour

A CHIEF Magistrate in Jos, Hajiya Hadiza Ali has threatened to jail two parents whose children she described as notorious criminals for allegedly breaking into a house at Number C4, Dilimi Street, Jos where they stole items valued N22,500.

Following a plea of guilt by the convicts, Ibrahim Mustapha and Abdulmalik Ali, both aged 17, on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, house breaking and theft, the judge ordered that they sentenced to nine months imprisonment or a fine of N1,500 each.

However, the magistrate directed that their parents should pay the fine or serve the prison terms of their children.

In the third count charge of theft, the judge sentenced Ibrahim and Abdulmalik of various addresses, in Jos to 12 strokes of the cane each.

The prosecutor, police inspector Emmanuel Mabtsorun alleged that on June 15 this year, one Salihu Olaniyi of No. C4 Dilimi Street, Jos lodged a report at the police Area Commander's office against, Ibrahim and Abdulmalik that at 3.30 a.m., he heard some noise outside his house and when he came out he discovered that his house was broken into and his electronics valued at N22,500, removed.

He stated that with the help of neighbours, the two convicts were arrested with six others.