An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, sentenced a 42-year-old bricklayer, Soji Agunbiade, to five years’ imprisonment for stealing foodstuffs and a cash sum of N61,000.
Agunbiade was tried and found guilty for two-count charge of felony and stealing
The charge read, “The defendant, on 17th October, 2021, and 2nd December, 2021 respectively, in Ilawe Ekiti, did break into the houses of Olanrewaju Alonge and Peter Olowokere through the ceiling and carted away their belongings, including foodstuffs and a sum of N61,000.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Prosecutor, Mr Oluwanifesimi Iyaniwura, said, “The offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 411 and 412 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C39, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
One of the victims said he saw Agunbiade on his ceiling, adding that the convict was monitoring people’s movement in and out of the compound.
He said his shout for help attracted neighbours, who arrested and handed him over to the NSCDC.
The defendant, who pleaded guilty and prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, did not call any witness.
The court found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment on both counts with options of fine.
The Chief Magistrate, Mojisola Salau, while delivering his judgment yesterday said, “On count one, the defendant is sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with N20,000 option of fine, and on count two, he is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with N30,000 option of fine; the terms are to run concurrently.”
The magistrate gave the verdict having listened to the submissions of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Prosecutor, Mr. Oluwanifesimi Iyaniwura, and that of the defendant who prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy.
Soji was charged on October 17, 2021, in Ilawe Ekiti for breaking into the dwelling houses of Alonge Olarewaju and Olowokere Peter through the ceiling and carted away their belongings, including foodstuff and a sum of N61, 000.
The offences run contrary to and punishable under section 411 and 412 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C39, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In his testimony before the court, one of the victims said, he saw the defendant on his ceiling, watching people’s movement in and out of the compound, and quickly shouted for help.
He said his outcries had attracted his neighbours who eventually arrested and handed him to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp.
To prove his case, Mr. Iyaniwura called three witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements among others as exhibits.
He urged the court to allow law to take its course, to serve as deterrent to others, he added.
