By Victor Akinkuolie
Ado-Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 26-year old man, Omodara Dada, to seven years’ imprisonment for burglary and stealing.

The convict was arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on July 19, 2022, on a charge of armed robbery, contrary to Section 312 (2) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2011.

According to the charge sheet, the convict, on February 13, 2022, in Ado-Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court, robbed one Fakiyesi Tope of a black Infinix Hot 8 phone valued at ₦64,000 and a cash sum of ₦8,000. At the time of the robbery, the convict was armed with a knife.

The victim, in his statement to the police, narrated the incident: “I am a hotel manager. On the fateful day, I was sleeping in my hotel room. I woke up suddenly when I heard a sound. I saw the defendant trying to remove my plasma television.

“I attempted to shout, but he brought out a knife and threatened to stab me if I tried. I later discovered that he had taken my phone and a cash sum of ₦8,000 that I placed on the table. I held him from behind as he tried to escape. I shouted for help, and with the assistance of others, he was overpowered, arrested, and handed over to the police,” he concluded.

To prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, the prosecution, led by Albert Adeyemi, called three witnesses and presented several exhibits, including the victim’s and defendant’s statements, a knife, and the cash sum of ₦8,000.

The defendant, speaking in his own defence, pleaded with the court for leniency but called no witnesses.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye stated: “The evidence produced at the hearing, in support of the greater offence, is short of sustaining the charge of armed robbery but established beyond reasonable doubt the lesser offence.

The defendant is convicted for the offence of burglary under Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.”

Justice Ogunmoye sentenced Omodara Dada to seven years’ imprisonment, to commence from the date of his detention at the Federal Correctional Facility, Ado-Ekiti.