Jos Businessman Sentenced To Five Years Imprisonment For Stealing From Company
BY FIDELUS ZWANSON
A Magistrate’s Court in Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced a 49-year-old businessman, Bulus Maitala, to five years imprisonment for stealing and misappropriating company funds.
The Presiding Magistrate, Irene Pati, convicted and sentenced Maitala after he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of breach of trust, cheating, and criminal misappropriation.
Court’s Judgment and Option of Fine
Delivering her judgment on Thursday, Magistrate Pati said the court had considered Maitala’s guilty plea and the nature of the offences.
She sentenced him to:
- One year imprisonment or an option of N50,000 fine for breach of trust,
- Two years imprisonment or an option of N40,000 fine for cheating, and
- Two years imprisonment or an option of N60,000 fine for criminal misappropriation.
The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve a total of five years in prison unless he pays the fines.
The court also ordered Maitala to pay N4,198,000 as compensation to the complainant for the financial loss suffered.
How the Offence Was Committed
According to the Prosecutor, Inspector Inrahim Gokwat, the case was reported on October 9 at the “A” Division Police Station by Mr. Nwoke Eusebius, the complainant.
Gokwat told the court that Maitala, who was entrusted with managing the company’s account, diverted funds by instructing some clients to deposit payments into his personal bank account instead of the company’s account.
The prosecutor said the defendant used the money for his personal needs, thereby violating the trust placed in him by his employer.
He noted that the offence contravened the provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, which prescribes punishment for breach of trust, cheating, and criminal misappropriation.
