By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

A Magistrates’ Court in Akure has sentenced a man, Gbenga Akintade, to four years in prison, for breaking into a shop and stealing mobile phones worth N800,000.

The convict was accused of unlawful entry into a shop at No. 13, Surulere Street, Ajagba, Akure, on October 10, 2024, around 1:00 p.m., where he allegedly stole four phones.

The stolen items included one Infinix X6626, one Tecno Polivor, and two Itel A665L models, all reportedly in the care of one of the shop owners, Michael Prosper.

The state prosecutor, N.J. Osele, told the court that Akintade’s actions violated Sections 383, 390(9), and 413(1) and (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37 Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecutor to call for an appropriate sentence to serve as a deterrent.

Delivering her judgement, Magistrate T.I. Ayodele-James described the offence as serious and sentenced Akintade to four years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.