By John Dike, Osogbo
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced a 28-year-old bricklayer, Aliu Jamiu, to two months’ imprisonment for stealing clothes that were spread on a rope to dry.
The police prosecutor, Corporal Oluokun Babatunde, told the court that the incident occurred last Monday around 9:00 p.m. at Legacy Hotel, Okinni. He stated that the stolen items—four T-shirts and two pairs of knickers—belonged to one Akanji Joshua.
Corporal Babatunde further explained that the offence contravenes Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002, and is punishable under the same.
While presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor tendered the stolen clothes and the defendant’s written confessional statement as exhibits before the court.
The defendant, who had no legal representation, pleaded guilty to the one-count charge and pleaded for the court’s mercy. He explained that he resorted to theft due to financial hardship and inability to afford clothes.
In her ruling, Magistrate Adebola Odeleye found Jamiu guilty as charged and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment. However, she offered an option of a ₦20,000 fine in lieu of jail time.
