Taraba Court Jails Man for Airport Theft, Acquits Three Others

The Taraba State High Court sitting in Jalingo has sentenced Festus Edward, a resident of Jauroyinu in Ardo Kola Local Government Area, to two years and six months imprisonment for theft and criminal conspiracy, with an option to pay a fine of ₦250,000.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in criminal case No. TRSJ/2C/2022, the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, found Edward guilty of participating in the vandalism and theft of government property at the Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo.

The court heard that Edward, alongside others—Ibrahim Malam-Gaji, Abdurahaman Ahmed, and Yahaya Adamu—was charged with theft, criminal conspiracy, and mischief after vandalising parts of the airport and stealing 15 iron poles, which they attempted to transport using a Mitsubishi van.

Prosecution also revealed that during their arrest on October 30, 2021, the suspects had caused extensive damage to 20 pieces of airfield lighting cables, measuring 4,000 meters and valued at ₦61 million, belonging to the state government.

Justice Agya held that Edward’s extra-judicial confession to the police was voluntary and detailed, clearly outlining how he conspired and executed the theft with two other accomplices, Luka Peter and Monday Frances, who are still at large.

The judge ruled that the conviction was supported by substantial evidence and eyewitness testimonies. However, he discharged and acquitted the second, third, and fourth defendants, declaring them victims of circumstance since the prosecution failed to prove their involvement beyond reasonable doubt.

While Edward’s counsel appealed for leniency, describing him as a first-time offender and breadwinner of his family, the court sentenced him to six months for criminal conspiracy and two years for theft, to run consecutively.

Bilyaminu Bakoji, counsel to the acquitted defendants, commended the Chief Judge for what he termed a thorough and fair handling of the case.