BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 22-year-old-man, Ayodeji Olabisi Jeremiah, has been arrested by men of the Osun State Police Command for allegedly burgling houses and shops to steal household wares.
Jeremiah, who claimed that he graduated from Yaba College of Technology in 2018, disclosed that he took to stealing in order to raise some money to rent an apartment for himself. He was said to have been living with his sister but opted to be independent. “I did it because I want to rent a house. I have been living with my sister but I want to stay on my own,” he said.
The suspect was arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court on four counts of burglary and theft.
According to the Police prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Kayode, the young man, on November 15, 2021, at about 10am, at Alabameta area of Osogbo, entered into the dwelling place of one Alhaji Adedokun Raheem and stole items, including “one plasma television set valued at N74,000, one Vitafoam valued at N20,000, two iron stool chairs valued at N100,000, one 12kg gas cylinder valued at N30,000, one big duvet valued at N20,000, two pillows valued at N10,000, all totaling N254,000, properties Raheem.”
In a related case, on February 17, at about 8pm at the back of Triple A Gas Filling Station, Kobongbogboe area, Osogbo, Jeremiah allegedly broke into the house of one Adeniran Abidemi Kayode through the window, damaged the burglar proof valued at N5,000, and stole one Samsung plasma television valued at N23,000.
Other stolen items are one gas cooker burner valued at N12,000, two pairs of shoes valued at N15,000, two wrist-watches valued at N10,000, one native dress valued at N10,000, 10 litres of groundnut oil valued at N8,000, two T-shirts valued at N17,000, and two wedding rings valued at N3,000.
Also said to have been stolen are one bed sheet and curtain valued at N9,000, one black trouser valued at N7,000, one blue towel valued at N3,000, and one traveler’s bag valued at N3,000, all properties of Kayode.
“I did it because I want to rent a house. I have been living with my sister but I want to stay on my own”
Again, on February 18, at about 12:45pm at G R.A area, Ilobu, the Police prosecutor informed the court that the defendant unlawfully broke into the house of one Akinola Alani Onifade through the door, damaged the door key valued at N10,000 and stole one 32 inches LG Plasma Television valued at N90,000.
The defendant was also accused of breaking into the house of one Lateef Mutiu at Number 21, GRA, Osogbo on February 15, at about 7pm, and damaging the door key valued at N10, 000.
Jeremiah allegedly carted away two boxer’s knickers valued at N3, 000 and the cash sum of N10, 000.
He also allegedly stole 10 packs of Alabukun drug valued at N15,000, one park of Hollandia Eva valued at N8,000, one carton of Honeywell Spaghetti valued at N6,000, one pack of Gino pepper valued at N4,500 and one carton of refill Milo, worth N18,000.
He also reportedly carted away one carton of Bournvita valued at N18, 000, one carton of Cowbell sachets valued at N6, 000, one tray of Three Crowns Milk valued at N24, 000, one tray of Nigeria milk valued at N6, 000, three sachets of Tom-Tom valued at N1, 200, three sachets of Milkose sweet valued at N1, 200, three rolls of glucose valued at N1, 500 and five rolls of 3-in-one-hot chocolate valued at N5, 000.
Also said to have been stolen are one packet of Bua spaghetti valued at N6, 000, six parks of Eva drink valued at N5, 000, one carton of Rio sweet valued at N9, 000, half carton of refill Bournvita valued at N7, 500, 25 pieces of Titus valued at N12, 000, one carton of Good Mama detergent valued at N3, 500, and four tubers of yam valued at N2, 000, with total value of N173, 400, properties of one Lateef Jelilat.
Kayode said that the defendant committed offences contrary to Section 383 and punishable under sections 432, 390(9), 411 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
Jeremiah pleaded guilty to all the allegations leveled against him.
The accused person told the Magistrate, A. O. Odeleye, that he was working with Dangote Cement factory at Ayegbaju area of Osogbo.
The prosecutor could, however, not go into the matter for failing to present exhibits before the court. He told the court that the officer in charge of the keys to the Exhibit Room at the Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo was delivered of a baby on the court day.
He, therefore, sought leave of court for adjournment of the matter. The court adjourned the case till April 1 for presentation of facts.
