Ex-convict bags 7 years in jail for stealing phones, other valuables

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced one Waris Shoaga to seven years imprisonment with hard labour, for being in possession of stolen phones and other valuable items.

Shoaga whose address was not provided, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and possession of stolen items.

The Magistrate, Mr. S. S. Sotayo, said that all the evidences presented in court had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the offence as charged.

Sotayo, however, sentence Shoaga to seven years in prison with hard labour and without option of fine.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 28 at about 2:00 p.m., at Rounder area in Abeokuta.

Rawlings said that the defendant, who is an ex-convict, was found in possession of three phones, seven sim cards, identity cards, ATM card and Indian hemp which he could not give satisfactory account of the items.

She said that Shoaga made a confessional statement that he stole the phones and other items from different people.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant stole the phones from the shops of the owners, while he pretended to buy goods from them.

“Shoaga was apprehended by some vigilante operatives, when they saw him with a nylon bag and accosted him, but upon questioning, he could not give account of the items in his possession, which lead to his arrest,” she said.

The prosecutor, however, said that the offence contravened sections 516 and 430 of the criminal code laws of Ogun 2006.