By Sunmola Olowookere
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There was a mild drama at the Magistrates’ court sitting in Olokuta, when a young man being considered for pardon, told the court that he was mentally ill.

Tobi Akinniyi, caused a stir before the Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu and a panel of judges during their sitting at the court.

Akinniyi was dragged before the court sometimes last year for stealing cooked and raw items at a food canteen around Ondo road, Akure.

The Magistrate in charge of his case told the court that the inmate had been granted bail in the sum of One hundred thousand naira with one surety in like sum in August, 2018, but that his bail was not perfected.

Akinniyi who claimed that he was a graduate of Technical College, Oke Igbo explained that he is an orphan and was working with a contractor who was presently engaged in Abuja.

He further stated that he got into the police net when he wandered from a pentecostal church near Olokuta where he was receiving treatment for his mental sickness and slept off at a food canteen nearby.

He said that he was woken up roughly the next morning by the owners of the shop who claimed that he had stolen their cooked and raw food items.

He explained that though they did not see any food with him where he slept, they did not believe him and handed him over to the police.

He told the Chief Judge boldly in impeccable English language that he had heard of her honesty and kindness and knew with certainty that on the day he set eyes on her and explain his side of the story, he would be released.

Akeredolu, who appeared amused at his story told him that he needed not go to the extent of wishing lunacy on himself so he could go home, stressing that mentally sick people are not usually aware of their state of health and not coherent and intelligent as he appears to be.

However, Dr. Mrs Adegbehingbe, who led the medical team convinced the Chief Judge that some mentally ill  patients that have been undergoing treatment do know their mental status. Akeredolu, therefore released Akinniyi, while she ordered that he should be taken to the Psychiatric Hospital for treatment.