Jos Magistrates’ Court Sentences Two Security Guards to One Year Prison Term Following Negligent Conduct Conviction

Two security guards in Jos receive one-year sentences for negligence. Magistrate Irene Pati offers a N40,000 fine option following a guilty plea.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

Judicial Accountability for Professional Negligence

In a significant ruling at the Jos Magistrates’ Court, two security personnel have been held legally accountable for failing to uphold their professional duties. Naphtali Nansak, 34, and Gabriel Kenshio, 36, appeared before Magistrate Irene Pati on Monday to face charges regarding their conduct while on duty. The court's decision to impose a prison sentence underscores the growing judicial intolerance for lapses in security responsibilities that could potentially endanger the public or private property.

The Legal Proceedings and Guilty Plea

The prosecution of the two guards proceeded swiftly after both Nansak and Kenshio entered a guilty plea to the charges of negligent conduct. By admitting to the offense, the defendants bypassed a lengthy trial, leading Magistrate Pati to deliver her judgment based on the evidence of their failure to exercise due care. This admission of guilt served as the primary basis for the sentencing, highlighting a direct breach of the trust placed in them as security providers.

Financial Alternatives to Incarceration

While the court mandated a one-year imprisonment term for each convict, Magistrate Irene Pati provided a window for financial restitution. Each of the sentenced men was given the option to pay a fine of N40,000 in lieu of serving their time in a correctional facility. This dual-option sentencing is often utilized in the Nigerian lower court system to balance the punitive nature of the law with the practicalities of penal management for non-violent offenses.