An Osogbo, Osun State Magistrate’s court on Tuesday sentenced a 40-year-old businessman, Ikechukwu Muojekwu, to two years and one month imprisonment for stealing clothes valued at N4.5million.
The State Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs. Olubukola Akintayo, had informed the court that the convict committed the offence on December 18, 2009 at about 6:30pm at 17, Ayetoro area in Osogbo.
Akintayo said that the convict conspired with others at large to burgle a shop belonging to one trader, Mrs. Fasilat Suraju, and carted away clothes.
She said that the convict stole children’s wears, women’s shoes, trousers and shirts valued at N4.5 million.
The state counsel said Mojuekwu conducted himself in a manner which led to the breach of public peace during his arrest by the police.
The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent in court yesterday read in part, “That you, Ikechukwu Muojekwe, on or before 18th December, 2009 at about 6:30pm at 17 Ayetoro Area, Osogbo, did break into the shop of one Mrs. Fasilat Suraju and carted away some valuable properties.
“That you (Muojekwu) at the same time and place did steal different kinds of assorted lace, children’s wears, men and women’s shoes, trousers and shirts, which are properties of Suraju, total valued N4.5 million.”
Accordingly, the prosecutor argued that the offence contravened sections 86(1), 516, 390(9) and 249(d) of the Criminal Code cap 34 Volume 11 Laws of Osun, 2003.
But the accused had pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge bearing on conspiracy, burglary, stealing and breach of public peace preferred against him by the police.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented the facts of the case to the court.
The State Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs. Olubukola Akintayo, had informed the court that the convict committed the offence on December 18, 2009 at about 6:30pm at 17, Ayetoro area in Osogbo.
Akintayo said that the convict conspired with others at large to burgle a shop belonging to one trader, Mrs. Fasilat Suraju, and carted away clothes.
She said that the convict stole children’s wears, women’s shoes, trousers and shirts valued at N4.5 million.
The state counsel said Mojuekwu conducted himself in a manner which led to the breach of public peace during his arrest by the police.
The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent in court yesterday read in part, “That you, Ikechukwu Muojekwe, on or before 18th December, 2009 at about 6:30pm at 17 Ayetoro Area, Osogbo, did break into the shop of one Mrs. Fasilat Suraju and carted away some valuable properties.
“That you (Muojekwu) at the same time and place did steal different kinds of assorted lace, children’s wears, men and women’s shoes, trousers and shirts, which are properties of Suraju, total valued N4.5 million.”
Accordingly, the prosecutor argued that the offence contravened sections 86(1), 516, 390(9) and 249(d) of the Criminal Code cap 34 Volume 11 Laws of Osun, 2003.
But the accused had pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge bearing on conspiracy, burglary, stealing and breach of public peace preferred against him by the police.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented the facts of the case to the court.
While ruling on the matter, the Magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko, found the accused guilty of conspiracy, stealing and burglary.
The court, however, discharged him of the count on threat to life.
While praying the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict, the defence counsel, Remi Ayodele said Muojekwu lost his wife during the litigation and added that he had three children to cater for.
Aluko sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on the counts of burglary and stealing and also gave him a month on the count of conspiracy.
The court, however, gave him an option of N20,000 fine and ordered that the jail term should run concurrently while the fine should be cumulative.
While praying the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict, the defence counsel, Remi Ayodele said Muojekwu lost his wife during the litigation and added that he had three children to cater for.
Aluko sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on the counts of burglary and stealing and also gave him a month on the count of conspiracy.
The court, however, gave him an option of N20,000 fine and ordered that the jail term should run concurrently while the fine should be cumulative.
