A Shari’a Court in Rigasa, Kaduna, has sentenced Jibril Musa, 70, to six months in prison for stealing mats from mosques.

Judge Malam Mukhtar Aliyu handed down the sentence after Musa pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and theft charges.

This isn’t Musa’s first offence. According to the judge, he had previously appeared before the court for a similar crime and was released on the condition that he would not steal again.

Despite pleading for leniency, Musa’s record led to dismissing his appeal for a lighter sentence.

Prosecutor Insp. Sambo Maigari explained that Aminu Al-Hassan, the village head of Rigasa, reported the theft after Musa stole mats from mosques on Dan Galadima Road and Bakin Dogo. The mats were sold to a local woman, Aisha Abdullahi, for N1,500.

Abdullahi claimed ignorance, stating, “I had no idea the mats were stolen, especially from an elderly man like Musa. I’ve always been an honest businesswoman.”

She has requested leniency as the case against her is scheduled for judgment on September 18