Joseph Babatunde, a 20-year-old barber, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by an Ondo State court for breaking into shops and stealing 18 plastic chairs and a Toyota Hilux engine.
Babatunde was found guilty of breaking into a shop on Araromi Street in the Ijoka area of Akure and stealing 18 plastic chairs worth N87,000. Additionally, he was charged with breaking into another shop and stealing a Toyota Hilux jeep engine valued at N1 million.
The convict, who admitted to the crimes, faced charges of burglary and stealing, in violation of Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016. Babatunde pleaded guilty to all four counts.
Chief Magistrate Mrs. C.M. Omole, in her verdict, noted that the prosecution’s evidence supported Babatunde’s confession. Consequently, she found him guilty on all counts and handed down the following sentences: four years of hard labor for each of counts one, two, and three, and two years’ imprisonment for count four, with the option of paying a fine of N180,000.
The magistrate ordered that the 14-year total sentence be served concurrently.
