A group of 69 people who were operating an illegal National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Nasarawa State were sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of a N10, 000 fine by a Keffi Upper Area Court yesterday.
The illegal corps members were arrested by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at Angwan Lambu in Keffi Local Government Area.
During the trial, all the affected persons pleaded guilty to the charges. Their counsel pleaded for leniency, since they were first offenders. He also asked that the court proceedings should not be covered by the media. However, his request was rejected by the trial judge, Edward Ali.
The prosecuting lawyer, in his arguments, stated that the court should punish the offenders in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
Delivering his judgment, Mr Ali explained that being a first-timer is not enough justification to level justice; rather justice would be dispensed accordingly.
"Having listened to the various counsel, and in line with section 154 of the Northern Nigeria penal code, the convicts are, therefore, sentenced to three years imprisonment or option of fine of N10, 000 each."
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has expressed its satisfaction with the judgment.
Source: 234next.com