Ayomide Akimduro, an 18-year-old local drummer in Ondo town, Ondo state, was sentenced to three months in prison for stealing plantain. He said that he stole because he was hungry.
The prosecutor, Moremi Akao, told the Ondo Chief Magistrate Court that the defendant stole plantain from the Mega Primary School in Ondo town.
According to the prosecutor, the convict committed the crime on February 21, 2024, at 1:20pm, at Ayeyemi in Ondo town.
Mrs Mosunmola Ikujuni, the Chief Magistrate, found the accused guilty and sentenced him to three months in prison with the option of paying a N50,000 fine.
Magistrate Lkijuni directed jail staff to release the inmates and then convict them when the money was paid.
Akinduro, who admitted to committing the crime, asked the court for leniency, claiming he would not do it again.
Prostrating in the dock, the convict pleaded, “I only pray for forgiveness for all I have done.
” I entered the school compound to cut plantain because I’m hungry.
The charm they saw on me is for bad thing not to happen to me. I don’t know what happened.
The prosecutor, Moremi Akao, thereafter, urged the court to give judgment, according to the plea of the defendant.
**** Two docked over phone theft
In another development, two middle-aged men, Oluseye Adefila and Monsuru Fashola, have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court over alleged cell phone theft
The defendants who specialized in stealing cell phones and other valuables in public functions, were arrested by the personel of the State security outfit codenamed, Amotekun during the burial of the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
They were charged to court on two counts of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecuting counsel, P.O. Nwofor, informed the court that the defendants committed the offence on February 23, 2024, at about 12:pm, during the funeral church service for the late Governor, Akeredolu, at Saint Andrew Church, Owo.
Nwofor said the duo who had succeeded in stealing many phones, conspired to steal a cell phone belonging to one Miss Elizabeth, one of the congregants during the funeral service.
The offence, according to the charge contravenes Sections 516 and 509 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State,2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty on both charges.
Their counsel, A. Ilemobayo, prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.
The trail Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, granted the defence counsel’s prayer and granted both defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.