A Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State on Friday sentenced three men to six months imprisonment for stealing palm fruits and pineapples.
The convicts include a 57-year-old Azeez Olarewaju, Sarafa Olarewaju, 33, and Ilutoye Olayode, 25.
The police accused the three men of conspiracy, trespass and theft.
According to the Prosecutor, John Idoko, an inspector of police, the convicts committed the offence on August 4, 2008 at about 10:00am at Igbo via Ejigbo in the state.
Idoko argued that the trio conspired and forced themselves into a parcel of land that was in custody of one Adeyemi Oyedemi without any justifiable reason.
During hearing of the matter, Idoko said that the convicts stole palm fruits and pineapples valued about N300,000.
The prosecutor informed the court that the theft almost led to a breach of public peace around the area but for the quick intervention of the police.
The offence, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 516, 81 and 383 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. 11 Laws of Osun, 2003.
The three men pleaded guilty.
But the presiding judge, Magistrate Olusola Aluko, found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.
Meanwhile, counsel to the convicts, Mr Babatunde Akanbi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.
Aluko then sentenced the convicts to 6 months imprisonment each, with an option of N10,000 fine each.
