By Ayodele Popoola

An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced a 20-year-old barber, Joseph Babatunde, to four years in prison, for burglary and stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs C.M. Omole, gave the ruling after Babatunde pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of burglary and stealing.

Omole sentenced the convict to four years in jail with hard labour each on counts one, two, and three respectively, and two years in jail for count four with an option of N180,000 fine.

She ruled that the jail term, a total of 14 years should run concurrently.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, A. Jejeniwa, told the court that the convict who is an ex-convict and notorious serial burglar, committed the offence on May 10, 2024, at 10 pm at Ayoni Street, Akure.

Jejeniwa said that the convict and others at large unlawfully broke into the mechanic workshop of one Oluwole and stole a Toyota Hilux engine valued at N1million.

He also alleged that the defendant on May 19, 2024, at about 2 am at Araromi Street, Ijoka, broke into the shop of the complainant and stole 18 plastic chairs valued at N87,000.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016.

Stating the facts of the case, Jejeniwa told the court that the case was reported at the A Division police station on May 20, by the Elejoka of Ijoka.

“The alleged stealing was investigated and the scene of the crime was visited. The stolen plastic chairs were recovered and he was about to dispose of them while he had sold other stolen items.

“ The defendant confessed to the commission of the crime,” the prosecutor stated.

Jejeniwa prayed that the defendant should be convicted accordingly.

Magistrate Omole, in her judgment, held that the prosecution’s uncontradicted evidence corroborated the defendant’s admission of the crime.

Omole found the defendant guilty of all the counts he was charged with and consequently sentenced him  accordingly.

In another case before same court, the convict, Babatunde, was  docked for allegedly breaking into a Deeper Life Church, Covenant District behind Oremeta Abusoro, Ijoka Road, Akure and stealing a Sumec generator valued at N300,000 and some other items.

The magistrate admitted him to N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.