Man On Trial For Arson (Crime Of Intentionally Setting Fire On A Building)

Gaddafi Yahaya, 27 who had attempted to burn down his employer's house 7 times, finally got caught in his 8th attempt. Unfortunately for him, the fire was detected on time and put off. During the house search, he was caught inside the roof of the house with matches and a pistol. #Catching. lol

Detailed report;
A 27 year-old man, Gaddafi Yahaya, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Chediya GRA, Zaria, for setting ablaze, the residence of his boss eight times. The accused was working as an electrician for the complainant, Hassan Ibrahim.


Yahaya is facing a six-count charge of theft, arson, criminal conspiracy, trespass, possession of dangerous weapon and mischief.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Abubakar Ibrahim told the Court that one Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim of No. 16, Circular road GRA, Sabongari, Zaria, had on April 2, 2013 reported the matter to Sabongari police station. Ibrahim said the complainant reported that his house had been set on fire seven times by unknown persons, a situation which was variously attributed to mischievous persons and the devil.
The prosecutor said when the incident occurred again for the eight’s time, the police were immediately informed. “They promptly visited the scene and engaged on a thorough search of the house while the fire was being put off,” he said. 

“While searching the house, we caught the accused inside the roof of the house with matches and a pistol."  “The accused admitted before the police that he was responsible for all the fire incidences and theft in the house and the gun he was holding was to scare people to enable him to steal.” 

The prosecutor said that the offences violated Sections 96, 286, 319, 326 and 348 of the Penal Code. When his plea was taken, Yahaya denied responsibility for the fire incidents but pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing. After listening to his plea, the Magistrate, Hajiya Zainab Garba sentenced him to six months imprisonment for theft, with an option of N5,000 fine.

The magistrate said hearing in other charges against the convict would continue in April on a date yet to be decided by the court.