Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital has sentenced a 20 year old Ugar Ebenezer to four years imprisonment for stealing bundles of electric wires.
The convict was arraigned before Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon on 23/8/2022 on two count charge of house breaking and stealing.
The charge reads that Ugar Ebenezer on 18/8/2022 around 11:00 a.m. at Elemi Street, Off Afao Road, Ado Ekiti in the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District did break into dwelling house of one Daramola Olubunmi and committed felony, same day, stole bundles of copper wire valued at N1.4M, property of Daramola Olubunmi. According to the prosecutor, the offences were punishable under sections 322 and 302 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
In his statement to the Police, the complainant said, “I am a retiree, I was supervising a site for my elder brother, I visited the house on that day to ascertain the completion of the wiring, I left the place not quite long when I received calls from the community residents around 11:00 a.m. that somebody has entered the building and carted all the electric wires but has been arrested, I rushed back to the place, I saw the defendant and the stolen wires, I reported and handed him over to the Police”, he concluded.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adeniyi called three witnesses and tendered defendant’s statement, cutting pliers, bundles of electric wires among others as exhibits , the defendant was led in evidence to speak in his own defense by his lawyer Adeyinka Opaleke, he pleaded to court to temper justice with mercy, he called no witness.
In his judgement, Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon said, “I have critically considered the nature and circumstances surrounding the instant case and adjudged that the prosecutor has proved his case beyond reasonable doubt, i found the defendant guilty as charged”.
On count one, the defendant is sentenced to one year imprisonment, in count two, he is sentenced to three years imprisonment, the terms are to be served concurrently or in lieu of the terms, the convict is to restitute the sum of #1m to the nominal complainant.
