In Akure, the Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court has sentenced Joseph Babatunde, a 20-year-old barber, to 14 years in prison for burglary and theft. Babatunde was convicted of breaking into a property and stealing a Toyota Hilux jeep engine valued at N1 million, and also stealing 18 plastic chairs worth N87,000 from a shop on Araromi Street, Ijoka.
The state police arrested Babatunde, who was subsequently charged with four counts of burglary and theft. He pleaded guilty to all charges. The prosecution cited that his actions violated Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Ondo State Criminal Code Law, 2016.
Chief Magistrate Mrs. C.M. Omole found Babatunde guilty based on his confession and the corroborating evidence provided by the prosecution. She sentenced him to four years with hard labor for each of the first three counts and two years with an option of a N180,000 fine for the fourth count. The sentences will run concurrently, amounting to a total of 14 years in prison.
