A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, sentenced a 24-year-old driver, Torkuma Abaya, to five years’ imprisonment for stealing a Toyota Venza car.

Abaya, who resides at Day Spring, North Bank area of Makurdi, was charged with vehicle theft and mischief.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Insp Jonah Uletu, told the court that the owner of the car, Sunday Imeh, had reported the matter at the ‘C’ Divisional Police Station, Makurdi, on Oct. 3.

He said that on the said day, Imeh parked his Toyota Venza 2009 model car, with registration number: MKD-122-HJ, valued at N7.5 million beside Texaco Filling Station, North Bank, Makurdi.

”Imeh left the vehicle there to greet his brother, John Avine only to discover later that Abaya had gone away with it without his consent.

”In the process, Abaya had a serious accident with the car at Abinsi town on Makurdi/Gboko road,” he said.

Uletu said that Abaya was arrested in connection with the offences during police investigation.

He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 327 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004.

National Daily reports that Abaya pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Roseline Iyorshe, sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment, with an option of N8.5million fine.