A Zuba Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Friday, has ordered that three men be given 12 strokes of the cane each for attempting to steal.

Jonah Danboyi, Abubakar Muazu and Mohammed Adamu were caught with cannabis, screwdrivers, cutlass and other dangerous weapon.

The police also charged with ‘attempt to steal.’

The convicts pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

The Judge, Gambo Garba, said that the court gave the light punishment of 12 strokes of the cane, because the convicts saved the court from the prolonged trial, but hoped that it would serve as a deterrent to others.

The Judge as well warned them to shun crime.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Chinedu Ogada told the court that on Feb. 9 the complainant, Abdullahi Maianguwa of Zone 17 Mango Tree Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, reported the incident at the Dutse Alhaji Police Station.

 Ogada said that the convicts were arrested with screwdrivers, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

 He added that cannabis, screwdrivers, cutlass and other dangerous weapon were recovered from them during police interrogation.

The prosecutor said that the convicts made a confessional statement, adding that the offence contravened sections, 79, 319A of the Penal Code.