BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 30-year-old night guard at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo, capital of Osun State, Hammed Azeez, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment for stealing four pumping machines at his workplace.
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, on Tuesday, found Azeez guilty of stealing and imprisoned him.
Azeez had been arraigned alongside one Adekunle Joshua, aged 36, said to have received the stolen property on April 10, 2022 before Magistrate A. O. Daramola on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, felony and stealing.
The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Fagboyingbo Abiodun had told the court that the duo committed the offence on April, 6 at about 3:04am at Ideal nest hotel Osogbo.
He explained that the convict stole four pumping machines worth N705,000.00, property of Ideal Nest Hotel where Azeez was working as a night guard.
The convict was said to have sold the machines to one Adekunle Joshua.
He stressed that Joshua bought the items from Azeez knowing fully that they were stolen.
Abiodun had argued that the offences contravened Sections 516, 390(9) and 427 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2022.
The charge read, ”That you Hammed Azeez and Adekunle Joshua, on the 6th day of April 2022 at about 3:04am at Ideal Nest Hotel Osogbo did conspire together to commit felony to wit stealing.
“That you Hammed Azeez on the same day, time and place did steal four pumping machines valued N705,000, property of Ideal Nest Hotel.
“That you Adekunle Joshua on the same day at about 9am, did receive four pumping machines from one Hammed Azeez knowing fully they are stolen items.”
The duo had pleaded not guilty to the allegations on the day of arraignment and were granted bail in sum of N200,000 with two sureties each while the case was adjourned.
After several adjournment, hearing into the matter came up recently as the police prosecution called four witnesses including Azeez’s employer and the Investigation Police Officer, Inspector Josephine Adeniyi.
Delivering judgement, Magistrate Daramola discharged and acquitted the duo on allegations of conspiracy and also exonerated Joshua on the count of buying the stolen machines.
However, she convicted Azeez on theft and sentenced him to one year imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.
