Get Guardian on GoogleA 22-year-old man, identified as Atofeyinti Gafar, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by an Abeokuta Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, for stealing valuables worth over N1.7 million from a church and a mosque.
The defendant was admitted guilty to a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Opeyemi Lawal, informed the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences sometime in May and on October 18, at about 6:00 a.m., in the Itoko area of Abeokuta.
Lawal alleged that the convict broke into the premises of the C&S Orisun Ibukun Goshen Church with the intention of committing theft.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant stole an amplifier engine valued at N350,000, a 6-by-6 foam worth N250,000, and two speakers valued at N200,000.
Other items allegedly stolen included a stove and cooking utensils worth N170,000, two bells valued at N40,000, and an unspecified quantity of wire worth N50,000.
He further told the court that on October 18, the defendant allegedly broke into the premises of Allahu Rahamon Islamic Society with the intention of stealing.
He said the defendant stole an amplifier engine valued at N450,000 and four speakers valued at N250,000.
Lawal said all items stolen were valued at a total sum of N 1.7 million.
According to him, the defendant was apprehended by vigilante officers, leading to his arrest.
Lawal said the offences committed contravene Sections 390(9) and 412 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
Delivering her judgment, the Magistrate, Miss O.T. Odubanjo, convicted the defendant following his guilty plea to the charges.
Odubanjo subsequently sentenced the convict to two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and stealing, with no option of a fine on each count.
The magistrate said the sentences must run concurrently.
