• Another 26-year-old arraigned for window theft
For stealing a trailer load of Softcare diapers valued at N13.5 million, a Lagos Magistrates Court, sitting in Ogba sentenced a 26-year-old man, Henry Chinedu, to four and a half years in prison.
Magistrate Lateef Owolabi found him guilty as charged and sentenced him. The inmate was charged with three counts of conspiracy, theft and breach of the peace.
Magistrates found him guilty of all charges. However, the defendant was given the choice of N200, 000 fine for conspiracy, three years imprisonment or another fine of N200, 000 for theft and six months imprisonment or N10, 000 fine for breach of peace.
The magistrate, however, said that the sentences should run concurrently and that the defendant should return said item to the complainant, Mr. Okuoromi Ehighamhe.
Magistrate Owolabi said: “I have critically evaluated all the facts presented by the prosecution in terms of section 213 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). I am satisfied with the facts presented by the prosecution. They are detailed, cogent and helpful. The narrative of the prosecution supports the allegations and in line with the intent of the law. The admission of guilt and the confession of the accused is direct, positive and unequivocal. This type of offense should be reduced. I am of the opinion that a sentence without a prison sentence would be inappropriate.
There is a dire need to send a strong message to the accused in particular and the general public in this regard,” he said.
The judge said the convict had prayed for release, as the stolen goods had been returned.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, had told the court that the convict, in August 2022, conspired with others to steal the goods.
He said the offense contravenes Sections 411, 173 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Meanwhile, another Fandi David, 26, was arraigned before an OO Fajana magistrate for stealing aluminum windows worth N5,525,000 million.
He was charged with conspiracy, burglary and theft.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecutor, Inspector, Funmi Akinleye, told the court that the accused and others who are still at large committed the offense on January 16, 2023 at Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
Akinleye said the defendant burgled the office apartment on the third floor of the building and stole 24 aluminum glass windows worth N5.525, 000 million, the property of one Dr. Obafunso Peter.
His offense contravened Sections 411, 280 and 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Following the plea of the accused, Magistrate (Mrs) Fajana granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case till February 27, 2023 for mention.