BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AFTER six months in prison awaiting his sentencing hearing, Nigeria National Baba Tunde Dami Lola Alonge was yesterday (Oct. 4) given a non custodial sentence and instead ordered to pay a fine as compensation for the money he 'ripped-off'.
Alonge was found guilty on three counts of false pretence with intent to defraud, offences that were committed on April 1 to 3, 2008.
According to the Prosecution, Alonge went to the General Post Office in Basseterre and knowingly cashed three counterfeit United Stated Postal Services International Money Orders valuing EC$5 565 total.
At Alonge's sentencing yesterday, his Counsel, John Cato spoke passionately about his client's misfortune, begging the Court not to order a custodial sentence but to give his client a chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
Cato said Alonge came to St. Kitts from Nigeria in search of a dream when he enrolled in a Nursing Programme and fell victim to a scam after he went in search of a job.
"It is no easy life that they live in Nigeria. He acknowledged his responsibility. He acknowledged that he made a mistake and I would like the Court to acknowledge that when this happened [incident] he was merely 20 years old," Cato said.
The senior lawyer said that Alonge merely succumbed to the circumstances that were presented.
He went on to tell the Court that despite the charges that were laid against him in early 2008, Alonge still pursued his academics and had it not been for his trial which took place earlier this year, he would have completed his studies.
Cato begged the Court to allow Alonge to continue pursuing his dream, noting that although the offence is a serious one it is also a misdemeanor.
He told the Court that Alonge is a very intelligent young man who can show the world that he is a rehabilitated man.
"No where can we find a better candidate for rehabilitation... It did not take long, it did not take much. Don't kill the dream of this young man, I am asking you, I am begging you. He has a life ahead of him; he is just 25 years old. He was not greedy, he was not looking for a get rich scheme, he was just trying to survive in a distant land," Cato begged the Court.
Alonge's Social Inquiry Report which was prepared by Probation Officer Wingrove George stated that despite the situation, Alonge was wrong and has admitted his wrong doing.
It also stated that Alonge's age made him vulnerable but that he is salvageable and that he has potential to be rehabilitated.
Before handing down his sentence, Justice Errol Thomas said that there were a number of things that needed to be taken into consideration including the nature of the offence, the manner of execution, the age of Alonge at the time of the offence, and the length of time he was in the Federation before the offence took place.
He told Alonge that he was in St. Kitts for less than six weeks before he committed the crime, "however I will not impose a custodial sentence but rather a fine".
Alonge was ordered to pay a fine of EC$5 000 which is to be paid by November 5, 2012. Failure to do so will result in him being arrested and imprisoned for a period of one year. The time he already spent in prison will count towards the one year sentence.
Alonge will be released today (Oct. 5).
3.jpg)