An Omu-Aran Area Court in Kwara on Friday sentenced a 29-year-old man, Lukman Raji, to 27 months imprisonment for unlawful obstruction and criminal intimidation.

The convict, a resident of Oke-Esa Compound in Omu-Aran, was, however, given an option of fine of N2,400.

The judge, Mr Abolade Banigbe, gave the verdict after Raji pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of obstructing a public servant from performing his lawful duty, intimidation and obstructing lawful arrest.

The judge sentenced him to three months imprisonment for the first charge, two years imprisonment for the second but discharged and acquitted him on the third charge and said the sentences would run concurrently.

He explained that the prosecution failed to establish guilt against the convict on the third charge.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Adebola Adeola, had told the court that Raji, on Feb. 27, 2014, obstructed one Samson Taiwo of Omu-Aran unit of the Federal Road Safety Commission from performing his official duty.

Adeola said that through the conduct, Raji prevented the arrest and caused the escape of one Femi, a commercial motorcyclist, who contravened traffic regulation.

He told the court that the convict also threatened to attack the FRSC official with charm.

He said the offences contravened sections 148, 171 and 397 of the Penal Code

Pleading guilty, Raji begged the court for leniency, claiming that he was a school drop-out and had many problems.

In his ruling, Banigbe noted that the convict’s claim of financial problem and dropping out of school was untenable and not an excuse for him to indulge in criminal act.

“Your claim to have dropped out of school due to financial reason is not a ticket for you to indulge in anti-social vices and behaviour.

“I am only lenient with you because you did not waste the time of the court. You should, therefore, change your attitude and have due respect for constituted authority.

“I hope your conviction by this court would serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

(NAN)