Kaduna Man Jailed 18 Months for Stealing Girlfriend’s N860,000 Jewellery

A Kaduna magistrates’ court has sentenced 32-year-old Kenneth James to 18 months in prison for stealing jewellery valued at N860,000 belonging to his girlfriend, Vivian Gideon.

James pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of stealing when he appeared before Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel on Wednesday. The court handed him an 18-month jail term, with an option of a N50,000 fine.

The magistrate also ordered James to refund N860,000 to Gideon. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Emmanuel warned that the convict would face an additional 10 months in prison if he failed to repay the money.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that Gideon reported the incident at Gabasawa Police Station on October 5, 2026. The prosecution said James was her boyfriend at the time of the incident.

Leo explained that James allegedly took Gideon’s gold earrings and necklace while she was away on a trip. The items were valued at N860,000, according to the prosecution’s account.

The prosecutor further told the court that James confessed during police investigations to selling the stolen jewellery. The charge was said to be contrary to the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

Following the sentence, Magistrate Emmanuel warned James against committing further offences. He urged the convict to maintain good behaviour and obey the law after serving his punishment.

The ruling combines a custodial sentence or an alternative fine with an order to compensate the complainant. The court also specified an additional prison term if James failed to refund the stated value of the jewellery.