Adebayo Adenrele
The Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state on Thursday sentenced one security officer, Oluomo Samson, 35 to six-month imprisonment over theft and felony.
In the two-count offence with the charge number MAY/311C/2024, Magistrate Lanre Owoleso said the defendant conspired with others, who are currently at large to steal from his employer, an offence punishable under section 421 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021.
The Magistrate also said he stole one 75ahms
battery worth #70,000, among other property inside the compound he was manning as a security officer.
The charge sheet read, “That you, Oluomo Samson ‘m’, and others at large on 9th February, 2024 at about 1600 hrs at Egbewa Area, Ado Ekiti in the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District did conspire among yourself to commit felony to stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 421 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021.
“That you, Oluomo Samson ‘m’, and others at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district did steal (1) one 75 Ahms Battery value seventy thousand naira #70,000 , (2) Bed spread and window blind value forty thousand naira #40,000 property of one Adeyanju Patrick ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 302 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021.”
The defendant, who is also a repeat offender hailed from Ondo state, confessed to committing the crime and pleaded guilty, adding that he sold the battery for #5,000 as a result of hunger.
In his defence, his lawyer, Adeola Awe prayed the court to be lenient on her client and pleaded for subjection to community service.
On the contrary, the counsel watching brief for the nominal complaint, Barrister Iyanu Olumuagun enjoined the court to act according to the law in order to serve as deterrent for other security officers.
In his judgment, Magistrate Owoleso convicted and sentenced the defendant to six-month imprisonment or a fine of #40,000 with no bail.