Man, 21, slammed four years in prison for stealing phones

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 21-year-old Owolabi Olamide to four years imprisonment with hard labour, after he was found guilty of a five-count charge that included a break-in, stealing and escape from police custody.

The convict was arraigned before Magistrate Michael Faola on five counts of criminal charges bordering on causing a breach of peace by jumping over the fence of one Otutu Ifeanyi, unlawfully breaking into his shop, stealing items worth millions of Naira, escaping from Police custody while detained for enquiry, among others.

The offences contravened and are punishable under sections 181,322,363, and 120(a) of the Criminal Law, No 12 vol.1, Laws of Ekiti State Nigeria, 2021.

The charges were read, explained and interpreted to the defendant, to which he pleaded guilty.

The complainant Otutu Ifeanyi was led in evidence by the prosecutor, Inspector Bankole Olasunkanmi.

He tendered cartons of power banks, recovered Infinix phones, cartons of phones and other valuables as exhibits.

The defendant did not object to all exhibits tendered and confessed to having committed the offences as charged.

Delivering his judgment, Magistrate Michael Faola sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment on count two (jumping over the fence) and one-year imprisonment on count five (escape from Police custody) with hard labour. Sentences are to run consecutively.

The judge ordered that all items recovered from the defendant, currently in Police custody, should be released forthwith to the complainant.