Court: Allocutus A.D. Tambuwal Esq: On behalf of the convicts we are passionately appealing to this court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convicts, the allocutus is being made because the convicts are first time offenders and by Section 415 (2) (d) of the ACJL of Sokoto State 2019, a trial court is enjoined that to impose maximum punishment on first time offender, the convicts are young persons who appeared to be remorseful and if they are given the opportunity they will became better members of the society. We have most conviction that their stay in prison since 28th October, 2020 has taught them some lessons which will compel them to become deterred from further coming this type of offence or any other offence in their future life. Criminal Conspiracy by Section 60 has option of fine. We therefore urge this court the convicts being first time offenders be given option of even to the main offence even though not provided because by virtue of Section 510 (1) of the ACJL of Sokoto State 2019 this court has been empowered to give option of fine in lieu of imprisonment as in the case of kidnapping. We therefore urge this court to give the convict an option of fine in lieu of imprisonment. The evidence of defence witnesses have shown that the convicts are before this incident people good character who were never associated with the commission of any crimes. In view of all the foregoing, we are passionately appealing to this court to temper justice with mercy by given the convicts an option of fine while sentencing the convicts. Mr. Dingyadi Esq: The law is clear as to punishment of the offence. To the best of our knowledge they are first time offenders. It is also trite that before the incident, the convicts have no Page 11 of 13