An Abuja Upper Area Court in Zuba, on Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old labourer, Ulu Friday to15 months imprisonment for stealing his friend’s N900,000.

Friday, who resides behind St Joseph Catholic Church, Gwa-gwa village, Abuja, is charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, house breaking and theft.

The Judge, Gambo Garba, sentenced the convict, after he pleaded guilty to the charge and pleaded for leniency.

Garba, who gave Friday an option to pay a fine of N50,000, warned him to desist from crime.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Chinedu Ogada told the court that the convict committed the offence at Gwa-gwa village, on March 12.

Ogada said that Friday was caught and handed over to the Police for proper investigation.

He said that the complainant, ThankGod Ene of the same address, reported the matter at the Gwa-gwa Police Station on March 13.

Ogada said that on March 12 at about 2.00 pm, the convict criminally trespassed into the complainant’ compound and broke into his house without his consent.

He said that the convict dishonestly stole the complainant’s N900,000 and used part of it to rent a house and buy properties for himself.

The prosecutor further explained that the convict bought Tecno phone valued N43,000, rented a house worth N40,000, a television valued N25, 000, and big rubber bucket valued N5,700.

He also bought trousers and shirts valued N20,000 and extension wire valued N600.

The prosecutor told the court that the complainant withdrew the money to rent a shop and start up his business.

Ogada said that during police investigation, the said properties which the convict bought with part of the complainant’s money were recovered.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 348, 346, 288, of the Penal Code.