Burglary: Man bags 10-year in jail

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has slammed an imprisonment of ten years on a 40-year-old man, Akeem Bakare, for burglary.

Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, while convicting Bakare, held that the prosecution proved the case of burglary preferred against him beyond reasonable doubt.

While convicting Bakare and imposing a prison term of ten years without option of fine, Justice Ogunmoye said the sentence was a lenient one with the convict being a first offender.

The judge ruled: “I believe that I should be lenient with the accused in that regard.

“He is sentenced to ten years imprisonment without an option of fine.”

Earlier, during the arraignment, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, told the court that the convict committed the offence on or about December, 31, 2017 at Road 6, Ifesowapo Street, Better Life area of Ado Ekiti.

The prosecution said the convict unlawfully broke into the house of one Mulikat Arogunmati.

The offence was punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16,Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2012.

To prove the prosecution’s case, Adaramola called four witnesses, while exhibits tendered included cutlass, one cap, two big stones, and the victim’s statement made to the police, among others.

The convict who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Adekunle Ojo, called no witness during the trial.

Ojo pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying the accused is a first offender.

Bakare was first arraigned in court on November, 17, 2018, when the charge was read and interpreted to him. But he pleaded not guilty.