Ekiti court sentences two men to two years for corn theft valued at N5m

By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

An Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced two men, Akinyele Ojo and Michael Sunday, to two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, unlawful entry, and the theft of corn valued at over N5 million. The convicts appeared before the court alongside Ipkechi Thomas (25) and Michael Monday (13) on a nine-count charge relating to conspiracy, forceful entry, and stealing. According to the charge sheet, the defendants unlawfully broke into Suolayor Farm in Iwaji-Ekiti, Efon Local Government Area, where they stole corn belonging to a group of farmers.

Court Proceedings

Chief Magistrate Bayode Ebenezer Owoeye stated that the case was first instituted in September 2024, noting that the defendants initially pleaded not guilty to all charges. He added that although an out-of-court settlement was earlier considered, the matter was revived after the defendants denied engaging in any negotiation with the complainants.

During the resumed hearing, defence counsel J. L. Balogun appealed for leniency, describing the defendants as young persons with promising futures. He argued that the offences could attract options such as fines or community service and noted that the complainants did not witness the theft directly. The police prosecutor, Shittu Olatunji, urged the court to ensure justice was served, emphasizing that the defendants showed no remorse despite the seriousness of the offence.

Verdict

Magistrate Owoeye convicted Ojo and Sunday, sentencing them to two years’ imprisonment. Thomas was discharged and acquitted, while Monday, aged 13, and was ordered to perform three months’ community service on seven counts, to run concurrently. The magistrate lamented the growing incidence of farm theft, describing agriculture as a critical livelihood for many Nigerians and stressing that farmers must be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labour without interference.

After the judgment, the prosecutor expressed satisfaction with the verdict, commending the court for upholding the rule of law and sending a strong warning to potential offenders.