livestock rearers with aged parents who are defendant on them. The sentence is for reformation and rehabilitation {S.415(2)(6)ACJL2019}. We urge the court to temper justice with mercy. The use of may in S. 273 of the penal code gives the court discretion to give a lesser term in sentencing them. Gazali Abubakar Esq: We urge the court to be lenient in passing the sentence since he is a first time offendee and we urge the court to temper justice with mercy. Zulai Bello DLD: The convicts are first time offenders but in sentencing them, we urge the court to take into consideration of the prevalence of the offences of abduction and illegal possession of firearms. SENTENCE Court: By the provisions of section 310 (3) of the ACJL No.8 of 2019, after conviction while sentencing, a trial court is required to take into consideration all aggravating and mitigating evidence or information as a guide in deciding the nature and extent of the sentence to be passed on the convict. I have considered the allocutus made by the defence counsel on behalf of the convicts as well as the response of the prosecuting counsel. Cognizance must however be taken of the provisions of section 273 of the penal code law Cap. 104 laws of Sokoto State in relation to the punishment provided for the offence of abduction which prescribed the sentence to be imposed in clear terms. The section 273 of the said penal code provides:36