Fasusi Martins, Okitipupa
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An Okitipupa Magistrates’ court has sentenced a 27-year-old Welder, Kehinde

Olorunfemiwa, to six months  imprisonment, for stealing  phone valued at N48,000.

The court presided over by Mr D.O. Ogunfuyi, convicted Olorunfemiwa, without an option of fine,  after finding  him guilty of committing the crime.

Prior to his conviction, the man who admitted committing the offence,  prostrated before the court, and pleaded for mercy.

The police prosecutor, Inspector  Ayodeji Omoyegha, told the court that the convict  committed the offence in October 19, 2018 at about 1:30pm in Okitipupa.

 He said the convict made a confessional statement to the police  after the phone was tracked.

The charge sheet which read in part that ” You, Olorunfemiwa Kehinde, a welder, on the 19th day of October, 2018 at about 1:30pm at First  Bank PLC , Okitipupa in the Okitipupa magistrate district did steal one Infinix Hot notes four handsets valued at N48,000, property of one William Ifelayo, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2016.

While the charge was read to him, Kehinde pleaded guilty.

In his ruling,  Mr Ogunfuyi, held that the court took into consideration his age and the fact that the defendant was a first  time offender.

However, he said it is  important to allow the law to take its course.

“While it is true that the essence of punishment is to correct and not to destroy, it is important to allow the law to take its course in order to serve as a lesson for defaulters and also  deterrents to others with criminal intentions like the defendant,” he noted.

Ogunfuyi ordered that the stolen phone should be given back to the owner, William Ifelayo.

The judge, therefore sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment without an option  of fine.

The court ordered that he is to serve the prison term at Okitipupa prison custody, starting from the day of the judgement.