The Taraba State High Court in Jalingo has sentenced Festus Edward of Jauroyinu in Ardo Kola Local Government Area to two and a half years imprisonment for theft and criminal conspiracy involving equipment from the Danbaba Suntai Airport.

Presiding over the case, Chief Judge Justice Joel Agya delivered the judgment on Tuesday in Criminal Case No. TRSJ/2C/2022. He found Edward guilty of stealing 15 iron poles and vandalizing 20 airfield lighting cables worth N61 million, which were intended for the airport runway.

Edward was convicted based on a voluntary confession and corroborating eyewitness testimony. He admitted conspiring with two accomplices, still at large, to remove and transport the equipment using a Mitsubishi van.

While Edward was sentenced to six months for criminal conspiracy and two years for theft — with an option of N250,000 fine — the court acquitted co-defendants Ibrahim Malam-Gaji, Abdurahaman Ahmed, and Yahaya Adamu, citing insufficient evidence against them.

Justice Agya emphasized that Edward’s conviction was upheld under Sections 195(22) of the Evidence Act 2011 and Sections 97(2), 327, and 287 of the Penal Code of Taraba State.

Both prosecution and defense counsels praised the ruling. Bilyaminu Bakoji, representing the acquitted defendants, welcomed the judgment, while Mustapha Adam, Deputy Director of Citizens’ Rights and a member of the prosecution team, described it as fair and just.